The Scottish Ambulance Service is a frontline part of Scotland’s NHS, providing emergency ambulance care and clinical support to more than five million people across mainland and island communities. With over 5,000 staff and 1,200 volunteers, it aims to deliver compassionate, high-quality care that helps preserve life and promote recovery. The service dispatches immediate medical assistance or clinical advice in response to emergency calls, and supports patients who need help travelling to healthcare appointments or being admitted to or discharged from hospital because of medical or clinical needs. It also transfers some of Scotland’s most seriously ill patients to access specialist care.

Alongside its response and patient transport services, the Scottish Ambulance Service helps people understand how to seek the right care and respond to emergencies. Its public information includes guidance on calling 999, recognising stroke symptoms using the FAST test and using a public access defibrillator. Through first aid education and projects such as Young Minds Save Lives, it also works to build emergency-response knowledge and preventative healthcare awareness in communities.