Ambulance service sorry over wait for Partick's Stewart

The Scottish Ambulance Service has apologised "for the delay and for any distress caused" after Partick Thistle midfielder Courtney Stewart waited three hours for an ambulance following the head injury she sustained against Rangers.

Stewart, who has been discharged from hospital, went down in the 10th minute of the SWPL match at Broadwood Stadium, which Rangers went on to win 4-0, and suffered a seizure.

She was treated on the pitch by Rangers' medical staff and first aiders before being moved to the dressing room.

Stewart was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow just after 17:00 BST on Sunday, three hours after the initial injury.

Thistle manager Brian Graham said it was unacceptable Stewart had not been tended to by an ambulance sooner.

"We would like to apologise for the delay and for any distress caused to the patient," the Scottish Ambulance Service said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, at the time of the call we were experiencing pressure on our services due to high demand and protracted turnaround times at hospitals.

"A clinical advisor kept in regular contact with the patient and we hope she is recovering well."

At shortly before 22:00, Thistle posted messages saying Stewart was "awake, alert and talking" adding "CT scans and X-rays have been clear".

The player returned home and wrote on social media that she was "beyond grateful for all the messages of love and support" while thanking medical staff.

After the match, Graham told BBC Scotland: "I can't thank Rangers' medical staff and the first aiders here enough, they've been brilliant with her.

"But I just don't think we get that [wait for an ambulance] in the men's game."

League rules do not compel clubs to have an ambulance at games in Scotland.

Instead, the home club must make sure there is a qualified medical practitioner available.

The hosts also have to provide a minimum of two stretchers and four trained stretcher bearers.

Last season, former Spartans manager Debbi McCulloch called for a review of medical provision at SWPL games after Becky Galbraith received on-pitch treatment for 27 minutes before being taken to hospital with a neck injury.

"I don't know what we can change," Graham added before the ambulance had arrived on Sunday.

"Obviously, it comes down to finance."