Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. That concludes general questions. And it is now time to move on to

First Minister's questions. And at question number one, I call Douglas Ross.

Thank you, Mr. Figuers released yesterday show that one in every ten ambulances in Scotland

sat outside hospitals for hours waiting for patients to be admitted. That means in just one week, 700 ambulances

across the country were stuck outside hospital for hours. We've heard of reports of

ambulances backing up waiting outside Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Ayrshire's Crosshouse Hospital and many more.

So, Deputy First Minister, why are ambulances backed up for hours outside hospitals in Scotland?

Deputy First Minister.

Just before I answer Douglas Ross's question, I want to begin by putting on record this Government's thanks and very best wishes to Mark

Drakeford as he steps down as First Minister of Wales and pay tribute to his dedication in many

years of public service. Despite our differences on the Constitution, Mark Drakeford has been

a friend and ally to Scotland throughout his time

as First Minister.

He has never shied away from defending devolution and, of course, standing against the devastating

effect of Brexit and Tory cuts and working with others to improve cross-government cooperation.

I wish him all the best for the future.

I answer to Douglas Ross's important question on the Scottish Ambulance Service, which of course continues to experience challenges with waiting times for ambulances in a number of hospital sites across

Scotland and, as Douglas Ross spoke about, some are taking longer than they should to turn

around at the front door of our hospital. Of course, similar pressures are being felt

throughout the UK as we enter into winter pressures.

Patient safety remains our top priority.

I would apologise to anyone who has either experienced any waits for an ambulance to reach

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