The armed forces could be deployed beyond the initial two-month period to help deal with the ongoing ambulance crisis in Scotland, Humza Yousaf has announced.
The Health Secretary revealed yesterday that soldiers will be driving ambulances across the Central Belt from Saturday for at least two months.
Around 144 drivers and support staff from the military will be used and be deployed, the MoD said.
However, the support could be lengthened if the situation does not improve over the coming months.
Yousaf was asked on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme if the Armed Forces could be in Scotland for longer, he replied: "It's possible, it's absolutely possible."
"First of all, I'd like to thank the armed services for responding so quickly.
"It is up to them to decide how long they wish to give us support.
"What have been pleased about is that although they may initially come for a couple of months they will build in a review period, for example if they have to come in for longer.
"These challenges are being faced right across the entire UK so we know a lot of requests have come in from Wales, from England, from other parts of the UK for additional military request assistance.
"We have a good relationship with the MOD and with the army in Scotland, so if we need that army assistance for longer then I am really hopeful that will be able to be accommodated."
The Record revealed yesterday how firefighters will drive ambulances as part of a new multi-million pound package to tackle the health emergency.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, the SNP minister also revealed that taxis would be used in non-urgent cases to help the ambulance service.
Yousaf said: "Immediate assistance is not just being sought from the wider public sector - we've also brought support from the British Red Cross, as well as private contractors such as taxi companies, to help with some of the ambulance service's work, where no emergency ambulance is required.
"But let me be absolutely clear - if you are in critical or life-threatening need, you will be taken to hospital in an ambulance if one is requested.
"Alternative transport is for those patients with low acuity, and patient safety will remain our number one priority."
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