Emergency cover enhanced at key Highland town

Staff at the Aviemore ambulance base have been doubled to move to a 24-7 operation

The Aviemore base will become a fully-staffed 24-7 operation
Author: John RosePublished 24th Mar 2021

Emergency cover at Aviemore Ambulance Station has now moved to 24-7 operation following investment in additional staff.

Six additional posts will see the base change from on-call status to fully-manned 24 hours. It follows similar moves at the likes of Thurso, Wick, Dufftown, and Golspie stations to improve the responsiveness of services.

The Aviemore station responds to around 400 emergencies every year and remains a significant resource given the A9 nearby and visitors to the Highlands.

Twelve A&E staff, a mix of Ambulance Paramedics and Ambulance Technicians, and an Ambulance Care Assistant will now be based at the ambulance station on Grampian Road, Aviemore.

A further positive development planned is for the ambulance team to relocate to the new hospital in Aviemore in September.

Three new staff members are also planned to join Kingussie Ambulance Station, further enhancing cover in the valley.

Robert Farquhar, Scottish Ambulance Service Area Service Manager for the region, said: "Our top priority continues to be our patients and our staff, who have been doing an amazing job every day in the most challenging of circumstances.

“This is great news for the whole valley and a significant step forward for healthcare in the Highlands. It will not only benefit staff and patients, but the whole region. Moving into the hospital will also allow us to work closely with our NHS Highland colleagues."