Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell has expressed concern after learning that targets to answer 999 ambulance calls within 10 seconds have been missed significantly.
Last year, the Scottish Ambulance Service brought in new standards to pick-up 90 per cent of emergency calls within that timeframe.
However, statistics obtained by the Scottish Conservatives have revealed that in 2012/13 only two-thirds of these were answered in less than 10 seconds.
Some months the figure dropped to as low as 61.2 per cent, and at no time did it come close to the 90 per cent goal.
The Scottish Ambulance Service said call demand had increased by 1.7 per cent compared to the previous year, and the poor figures could in some way have been down to changing shift patterns at control centres.
The local MP said: “I am concerned that such a vital service is missing targets so significantly. When a person is in desperate need they need the phone to be answered almost immediately, not being left with the sound of a phone ringing out.
“If we are to get ambulances to the scene of emergencies as quickly as possible, something which is vital in a far flung rural constituency such as mine, then it’s essential these calls are picked up almost as soon as they are made. This is particularly the case for residents in my large rural constituency who face a longer journey time to receive medical treatment and any unnecessary delays are simply unacceptable.
It is very disappointing that this is happening, especially coming so soon after it was revealed that thousands of calls to the new police 101 number have gone unanswered since its launch.
“The Scottish Government must ensure the ambulance service have all the support it needs to make this target happen and give people who are in emergency situations confidence that their call for help will be dealt with swiftly from the outset.