§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how much has been spent on a communications system in the Scottish ambulance service control room in Aberdeen; what contact can be made with air ambulances once they are airborne with the communications system; and if he will make a statement about the expenditure.
(2) what assessment he has made of the reason that the new emergency communications computer in the Scottish ambulance service control room in Aberdeen is not compatible with the radios on air ambulances in the north of Scotland; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what plans he has to upgrade the emergency communications computer in the Scottish ambulances service control room in Aberdeen to enable adequate communication with the air ambulances in the north of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 14 December 1994]: The general manager of the Scottish ambulance service has advised that £8 million has been spent on providing a new radio system for the Scottish ambulance service in the north of Scotland, this includes the ambulance controls in Aberdeen and Inverness.
The new system, which has recently become fully operational, is meeting fully its designed performance in providing for effective communication between road ambulance and ambulance control. Communication with aircraft was not part of its specification, nor is it suitable for his purpose.
Air ambulances are tasked and controlled from a dedicated air desk at Aberdeen ambulance control. These aircraft are fitted with radios that enable them to talk to air traffic control and to their company base location. However, communication with any aircraft flying at low level in hilly or mountainous terrain poses particular problems. The Scottish ambulance service has successfully introduced the practice of using a message pager to pass urgent messages to an air ambulance when flying in such areas. Means of achieving fully two-way radio communication for helicopters supporting the emergency service throughout the United Kingdom are being investigated.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what restrictions have been placed on air760W ambulance operations in the north of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 14 December 1994]: The general manager of the Scottish ambulance service has advised that no restrictions have been placed on the use of the air ambulance service in the north of Scotland or elsewhere in Scotland. Air ambulances are deployed where the circumstances make it appropriate to do so. The decision is taken by the air ambulance control desk based on the medical advice at the time.