Cunninghame North's MSP has hailed figures that show the Scottish Ambulance Service has recruited a record number of staff in the past three years.

The service launched its 'Demand and Capacity' programme in 2019, and has recruited 1,388 staff and introduced an extra 52 ambulances since then.

Investment from Scottish ministers has allowed recruitment of new A&E staff including paramedics, technicians, ambulance care assistants and advanced practitioners.

According to the Scottish Government's figures, 464 frontline A&E staff were recruited last year, in addition to recruitment of 924 over the previous two years.

Of the 464 recruited in the past year, 153 were recruited for the east region, 105 for the north and 206 for the west.

Kenneth Gibson, who represents Cunninghame North for the SNP, has praised staff for their continued hard work, and believes the extra investment will ease pressure on the service.

He said: “The government’s increased investment in support of the SAS through their Demand and Capacity review guarantees adequate resources are in place to deliver high-quality emergency service.

“Over the last three years, the estates element of programme has also enabled the opening of ten new stations, including nine co-locations with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“These additional resources will also help support existing staff, who have displayed remarkable resilience in the face of sustained pressure ever since the pandemic, and I thank them for their continued commitment and hard work.”