FOI 25-138 Demand and Capacity Review
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 25-138 Demand and Capacity Review
- Request Date
- 20 Mar 2025
- Response Date
- 15 Apr 2025
- Information Requested
I am seeking to learn more information about the Demand and Capacity review that SAS have completed since 2019.
Can you please provide me with any information in relation to which areas of Scotland were identified as not needing additional ambulance shifts? For example, I understand that Braemar was deemed to be one of these areas considered as part of this project and modelling had determined that there were no requirements for an additional double-crewed ambulance resource in the area. Can you provide me with this information in relation to Braemar as well as a list of other areas in Scotland that were determined to not require an additional double-crewed ambulance resource?- Response
The Scottish Ambulance Service carried out a national review of demand and capacity which helps to ensure we are working as efficiently as possible and have resources in place to meet both current and projected future demand. The aim of this is to deliver the best possible care for patients and promote staff welfare.
The Service commissioned two specialist companies – Operational Research in Health (ORH) and Working Time Solutions (WTS) to undertake analysis, recommendations, design and implementation work using the wealth of data the Scottish Ambulance Service holds. These organisations are both internationally recognised experts in the field and have undertaken similar work with other ambulance services throughout the UK and worldwide.
ORH took a forensic look at all of data we hold. This included minute by minute call demand, ambulance journey times, routes, availability and staff numbers in each region. It also included the number of vehicles, rest periods, hospital turnaround times and other data. From this, they were able to use historical and current demand/resourcing data and undertake modelling to predict future demand on our services across Scotland. This was broken down region by region to enable recommendations to be made on how to optimise our approach to resourcing in the best interests of both patient care and staff welfare. Going forward, the data is updated annually to enable the model to accurately reflects demand changes seen across the health system. The data is translated into demand profiles which are incorporated into the working shift rotas.
WTS took an in-depth look at the modelling and recommendations to help design optimised rosters for every station in Scotland. This involved providing each station with a roster key which would make sure the correct level of resourcing was in place per hour of the day. From this, staff were able to design their own rosters in line with principles agreed with staff and trade union colleagues. This approach ensured that we could deliver the required responses to patients in all areas of the country as well as ensuring staff health and wellbeing with rosters that aligned to health and safety requirements.
A staff engagement and consultation process, also agreed in partnership, has been followed in full across each region in Scotland. This has included four formal working party meetings which have taken place with all stations and have included staff side representatives and station nominated representatives who were tasked with speaking on behalf of colleagues, feeding back information and ensuring all staff had a forum to have their views represented and heard.
Whilst there have been occasions where there has been disagreement over the suggested way forward, these have been successfully navigated through discussion, engagement, joint working to resolve these issues and agreed approaches to deliver the objectives in each region.Please see the attached sheet detailing the changes in service planned at each station across Scotland that came as a result of Demand and Capacity reviews. The spreadsheet details the number of resource hours per week by station and type of vehicle for the planned service and the current service. The types of vehicles included are:
· DCA – double crewed A&E ambulance
· RRV – paramedic car
· URG – urgent tier ambulance
Please note:
c) Huntly and Keith stations currently share a roster with 243.76 hours (shown in the spreadsheet as Huntly). In the planned rosters this will be split between the 2 stations with 168 hours each, a total of 336 hours.
c) Livingston station will spread its footprint into a new station in Bathgate with additional rostered hours planned in this location.
c) It is planned for Kilwinning station to spread its footprint into 2 new stations in Dreghorn and Ardrossan with additional rostered hours planned for these locations.- Response Documents
