FOI 25-424 Ambulance Allocation Decisions

Freedom of Information Request

Reference
FOI 25-424 Ambulance Allocation Decisions
Request Date
29 Sep 2025
Response Date
13 Oct 2025
Information Requested

Does the Scottish Ambulance Service have a policy which stipulates which incidents an ambulance will attend and those it considers not to require the provision of an ambulance?  

If it does have such a policy, does that policy apply equally across the nation, or are there regional variations? 

Response

The Scottish Ambulance Service does not have a formal “policy” document that specifically lists which incidents require ambulance attendance and which do not. Instead, the Service operates under a Clinical Response Model, which is a dynamic framework used to triage and respond to emergency calls based on clinical need. 

This model categorises incidents into several response types, including: 

 

  • Immediately Life Threatening – e.g., cardiac arrest, requiring rapid paramedic response. 
  • Urgent and Emergency – non-life-threatening but requiring hospital conveyance. 
  • Hear, Treat & Refer – patients can be safely managed via telephone advice or referral to other services. 
  • See, Treat & Refer – face-to-face assessment with potential treatment at scene. 
  • Anticipatory Care – proactive care for patients with long-term conditions. 
  • Non-Emergency (Scheduled Care) – transport for stable patients needing clinical or mobility support. 

Further details on this model are available on the SAS website: Our Clinical Response Model.  

The Clinical Response Model is applied consistently across Scotland. However, local escalations and adaptations may be implemented depending on operational challenges, such as demand pressures or resource availability. These adjustments are part of a dynamic process that ensures the most appropriate response is provided based on real-time conditions.  While the overarching framework is national, local teams may make tactical decisions to manage specific circumstances, ensuring patient safety and service continuity.  

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