The Scottish Ambulance Service asked us to gather views from the public on new protocols which would allow ambulance staff to assess, treat or refer patients.

The Scottish Ambulance Service revised its 'Hear and Treat' and 'See and Treat' protocols which will allow ambulance staff to assess, treat and refer people so that they do not have to go into hospital. This supports the Scottish Government's 2020 Vision that "everyone is able to live longer healthier lives at home, or in a homely setting".

The Scottish Ambulance Service acknowledged that some patients and carers may be anxious about this new approach and wanted to understand how to make this experience as positive as possible for anyone requiring assistance. Some of our local offices held focus groups to gather the views of members of the public across Scotland, in remote and rural, island and urban communities.

In total, 63 people participated in 7 discussion groups held in Ayrshire and Arran, Grampian, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Orkney, Tayside and the Western Isles during November and December 2014. This report, Scottish Ambulance Service Strategy Refresh - gathering views on 'Hear and Treat' and 'See and Treat', summarises what people told us.