AMBULANCES STUCK FOR “HOURS ON END” WARNS DUMBARTON MSP BAILLIE

by Lucy Ashton

Scottish Labour has warned that patients are being let down as new figures show that ambulances are still being forced to wait hours outside hospitals. 

New data on ambulance turnaround times has shown that ambulances are getting stuck outside Scottish hospitals for as long as 18 hours. 

The longest ambulance turnaround time so far in 2026 was over 1098 minutes outside the Monklands hospital – raising yet more questions about the SNP’s decision to delay the replacement.

Another ambulance waited more than 17 hours outside University Hospital Wishaw while one waited over 14 hours outside Ayr Hospital.

Every major hospital in Scotland has already had at least one turnaround time over an hour this year, and eight hospitals have experienced turnaround times over 12 hours.

Ambulance turnaround times tell us how long an ambulance spends at a hospital before being deployed again. This can include cases where patients have to wait in ambulances because there are not any beds available in the hospital. 

Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said:  “These deeply worrying figures show patients are being let down on the SNP’s watch. 

“While patients are waiting for help, ambulances are stuck outside hospitals for hours on end.“These long waits are a sign of the dangerous amount of pressure on our overstretched hospitals. 

“We need action to support hospitals and give patients the ambulance service they deserve – tackling delayed discharge to free up beds, fixing the crisis in A&E and properly supporting hardworking NHS staff.”

Longest turnaround time by hospital, minutes: seconds, 29/12/2025-25/05/2026: