AMBULANCES have been forced to wait outside Ayrshire hospitals for almost 15 hours, according to new figures.

Recent data obtained by Scottish Labour through FOI requests show an ambulance turnaround time of nearly 15 hours at University Hospital Ayr.

The figures reveal an ambulance at University Hospital Ayr was parked for 14 hours and 54 minutes, while at University Hospital Crosshouse, the longest time was nine hours and 36 minutes.

The reason for turnaround times can vary, but includes ambulances waiting with patients inside them because no beds are available.

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has called for changes to be made.

He said: “Ambulances are a lifeline at a time of desperate need, but these figures show that year after year, the Scottish Government has let emergency services slide.

“As we see from these figures, turnaround times vary across the country but University Hospital Ayr has a longest wait of nearly 15 hours, which is shocking.

"Our paramedics do a tremendous job, but rather than responding to desperate patients, ambulances are stuck at the doors of A&E because the SNP has failed to tackle the chaos within. 

"Scottish Labour will free up hospital beds and restore the family doctor so that patients at A&E can be treated in a timely manner and paramedics can do the job they were trained for."

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: "Patient safety and the welfare of NHS staff are our top priorities.

"I apologise to any patients who have experienced delays and their families. We recognise the significant pressures which healthcare staff face.

"While our A&E performance is the best in the UK, we continue to work closely with Health Boards and the Scottish Ambulance Service to support the safe handover of patients upon arrival at hospital.

"Our £200 million of targeted investment will improve patient flow, enhance capacity and tackle delayed discharge.”