NEW figures have shown that single-staffing of ambulances in Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh has continued- despite a commitment from the Scottish government to ‘eliminate’ the practice nine years ago.

The figures, obtained under Freedom of Information, show that nearly 300 local emergency calls received a response from only one member of staff from ambulance stations at Vale of Leven, Arrochar and Helensburgh since 2014.

In the last year alone there were 92 emergency responses- with only one member of staff in the Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh and Lomond areas.

Nicola Sturgeon made the pledge to ‘eliminate’ single staffing in 2008 when she was the SNP’s Health Secretary.

Now nine years on Scottish Labour is calling on the SNP to 'stop obsessing over independence' and start addressing the pressures on local ambulance services.

MSP for Dumbarton and the Vale Jackie Baillie said: "Nicola Sturgeon promised to ‘eliminate’ single-staffed ambulances nine years ago but the SNP has failed to deliver.

"Local ambulances are still being sent out from stations in Alexandria, Helensburgh and Arrochar with only one member of staff.

"Not only does this put people’s lives at risk, it increases the pressure on our over-worked and under-resourced local ambulance staff.

"Local ambulance and NHS services are paying the price of the SNP’s obsession with independence at all costs.

"It’s time for the SNP to drop the threat of another divisive referendum and finally get a grip of the problems in our NHS."

The number of single crewed responses by station are as follows: Vale of Leven (2014/15)- 23, (2015/16)- 38, (2016/17)- 23, Helensburgh (2014/15)- 19, (2015/16)- 32, (2016/17)- 38, Arrochar (2014/15)- 34, (2015/16)- 57, (2016/17)- 31.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The number of instances of single crewing remains extremely low in comparison with the actual number of shifts across Scotland, taking into account the patterns of greatest demand for the service.

"We continue to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) to reduce single crewing across Scotland.

"We have invested an extra £11.4 million in the SAS for 2016/17, which will include the recruitment of 200 extra paramedics as part of our commitment for 1,000 more trained paramedics over the next five years.

"Despite increasing levels of demand, our crews are saving the lives of more patients than ever before."

A spokesperson for Unite Scotland said: “Our ambulance service members are coming under increased pressure across the country, and are becoming more and more concerned about their ability to provide a safe and adequate service to the public. We need the Scottish Ambulance Service to take action to ensure proper staffing and to make sure that staff are able to finish shifts on time and to get proper rest. If that needs extra investment, then ambulance service managers need to be honest about that, and the Scottish Government should make sure the required money is there.”