The Armed Forces have played a vital role across the UK in responding to the Covid crisis when required.
From staffing testing centres to logistics, no one can question their effort or dedication.
But it’s concerning to hear that Army drivers brought in to help ease Scotland’s ambulance waiting times crisis will not be able to “blue light” seriously ill patients to hospital.
Unions are concerned the move could actually put patients more at risk.
If a patient in an ambulance is found to be in a more serious condition than first thought, Army drivers will be unable to switch on blue lights to cut through traffic.
This means they could be stuck on busy roads or face the choice of calling for a second ambulance.
Army drivers will be sent to low-acuity calls where, otherwise, patients may be waiting seven or eight hours for a response.
But the situation for patients can quickly change.
Unions believe the real help the Army could provide is to establish field hospitals or temporary admission wards.
Asking them to drive ambulances – when they have not received specialist emergency driving training – seems like one step forward, two steps back.
This was a well-intentioned intervention from health secretary Humza Yousaf but it is not going to solve the waiting times crisis.
The situation is still not fixed and more ill Scots are being kept waiting.
Army drivers are not the answer.
This is a sticking plaster over a gaping wound that needs emergency surgery.
