FOI 25-463 Orkney First Responders
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 25-463 Orkney First Responders
- Request Date
- 15 Oct 2025
- Response Date
- 07 Nov 2025
- Information Requested
Island Communities Impact Assessments (ICIAs) and FR Provision in Orkney and Shetland I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 regarding the Scottish Ambulance Service’s compliance with the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, specifically in relation to Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIAs) for the First Responder (FR) service provision. I would be grateful if the following could be provided:
- Copies of the ICIAs undertaken by Scottish Ambulance Service in relation to the provision, support, or review of the FR service in Orkney and Shetland. Specifically, I am seeking documentation or analysis that assess: - The differential effects of the FR service provision between Orkney and Shetland. - The variation in service delivery across Orkney’s ferry-linked isles, such as between North Ronaldsay, Eday, Hoy, Westray, Rousay etc.
- For each ICIA: - The date of completion. - Any appendices or supporting documents.
- Any internal reviews or evaluations that Scottish Ambulance Service may have conducted in relation to FR provision in the above-mentioned island communities.
- Any correspondence between Scottish Ambulance Service and the Scottish Government or Scottish Ministers with regards to the FR provision in Orkney and Shetland over the last three years.
- Any plans or proposals for future changes to FR provision in above mentioned areas of Orkney and Shetland.
- Response
1. Copies of the ICIAs undertaken by Scottish Ambulance Service in relation to the provision, support, or review of the FR service in Orkney and Shetland. Specifically, I am seeking documentation or analysis that assess: - The differential effects of the FR service provision between Orkney and Shetland. - The variation in service delivery across Orkney’s ferry-linked isles, such as between North Ronaldsay, Eday, Hoy, Westray, Rousay etc.
- For each ICIA: - The date of completion. - Any appendices or supporting documents
The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has not undertaken any ICIA specifically for the ferry-linked islands of Orkney and Shetland. Under the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, the responsibility for conducting such assessments lies with the local Health and Social Care Partnership, which holds statutory responsibility for population health. SAS’s role is to respond to emergency calls via volunteer responders, emergency responders, or partner agencies as coordinated through our control centres. This includes the coordination of any required medical evacuations.
- Any internal reviews or evaluations that Scottish Ambulance Service may have conducted in relation to FR provision in the above-mentioned island communities.
We can confirm that a general review of Volunteer Delivered Services was carried out in 2024. This review looked at the systems and support structures in place for volunteer Community First Responders across Scotland. It is important to note, however, that the review did not cover or refer specifically to First Responder services in Orkney or Shetland.
The full report is available on the Scottish Ambulance Service website and can be accessed via the following link: Volunteer Delivered Services Report (PDF)
- Any correspondence between Scottish Ambulance Service and the Scottish Government or Scottish Ministers with regards to the FR provision in Orkney and Shetland over the last three years.
Under Section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, we are not required to provide information which is already reasonably accessible to the applicant. The information you have requested is publicly available in FOI reference 25-110, which can be accessed via the Scottish Ambulance Service website at: FOI 25-110 Orkney First Responder Provision Correspondence
We can also confirm that there has been no further communication or updates related to this matter during the current calendar year.
- Any plans or proposals for future changes to FR provision in above mentioned areas of Orkney and Shetland.
SAS remains committed to supporting these schemes by providing training and equipment that meet nationally agreed clinical standards. This ensures that responders are appropriately prepared to act as an initial response to emergency calls.
