FOI 25-539 Scottish Ambulance Service Events and Safety Advisory Groups
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 25-539 Scottish Ambulance Service Events and Safety Advisory Groups
- Request Date
- 18 Nov 2025
- Response Date
- 21 Nov 2025
- Information Requested
With the ever growing rise of 999 calls and the constant communication from the service of high demand and no ambulances to send, I would be obliged if you could answer the below;
1) Why does the service run an events team allocating ambulances to private events for payment ?
2) Can you advise since 2020 - 2025 during times of extreme demand how many ambulances were at an event and not answering 999 calls.
3) If the service provides ambulances for events and sits on Safety Advisory Groups, does this not form a conflict of interests.
4) Are the service aware of the false information that appears to be coming out of SAG groups in which they state "The Scottish ambulance service is the only ambulance that can transport on blue lights" when this in fact goes against the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the guidance provided by police Scotland.- Response
1) Why does the service run an events team allocating ambulances to private events for payment?
The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) carries out a range of functions, in addition to our core emergency response role. Any resources used to provide medical cover at the small number of events covered by SAS events, are in addition to and not taken from our core emergency response and therefore has no impact or detriment on our service delivery.
2) Can you advise since 2020 - 2025 during times of extreme demand how many ambulances were at an event and not answering 999 calls.
I have applied section 17 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act 2002, as information not held. This information is not held in a way that allows us to report on vehicles at events compared to service demand. In addition, clarification has been provided above that coverage of events does not take resource away from answering 999 calls.
3) If the service provides ambulances for events and sits on Safety Advisory Groups, does this not form a conflict of interests.
No, compliance with the relevant guidance, such as the Green & Purple Guide, applies, regardless of who is providing medical cover at events and SAS would declare at a SAG, if we were involved in providing medical cover.
4) Are the service aware of the false information that appears to be coming out of SAG groups in which they state "The Scottish ambulance service is the only ambulance that can transport on blue lights" when this in fact goes against the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the guidance provided by police Scotland.
Under FOISA, we are required to provide recorded information held by the Scottish Ambulance Service. The Freedom of Information Scotland Act 2002 does not require us to create new information, provide opinions, or interpret legal matters.
The role of the Scottish Ambulance Service at a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) is to contribute to a co-ordinated approach to event and crowd safety and to highlight any issues or concerns around the proposed medical arrangements. We do not comment on legal matters such as Road Traffic legislation or associated exemptions.
Accordingly, we hold no recorded information that specifically addresses the statement referenced in your request.
