FOI 26-241 Laryngoscopy Equipment used in SAS
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 26-241 Laryngoscopy Equipment used in SAS
- Request Date
- 26 May 2026
- Response Date
- 12 Jun 2026
- Information Requested
I would like to request the following information regarding video laryngoscopy equipment used within the Scottish Ambulance Service, including specialist and air ambulance teams where applicable.
Please could you provide:
- What video laryngoscopy equipment is currently available to clinicians within the service.
- The manufacturer and model of the devices currently in use.
- The clinical lead, equipment lead, or person responsible for airway management equipment evaluation and procurement.
- Details of any current or planned evaluations, replacement programmes, or procurement activity relating to video laryngoscopy devices.
- Response
Q1 – The Scottish Ambulance Service can confirm they use two types of laryngoscope devices, the McGrath MAC and the Peak VN.
Q2 – The McGrath MAC is manufactured by Covidien and Peak VN is manufactured by Peak Medical.
Q3 - Airway management equipment, including video laryngoscopy devices, is considered through established clinical governance and procurement processes.
This involves collaboration between clinical leadership, specialist teams (such as ScotSTAR), and procurement functions. The Service does not hold a single recorded point of responsibility for airway management equipment across all aspects of evaluation and procurement.
Q4 - The Scottish Ambulance Service operates a five-year rolling replacement programme for video laryngoscopy equipment. This is based on the expected lifespan of the devices and includes periodic review of the market to ensure equipment continues to meet service requirements.
At the time of your request, current devices are relatively new and, to the best of our knowledge, there is:
- No active evaluation programme, and
- No current or planned procurement activity specifically relating to video laryngoscopy devices
beyond the routine lifecycle replacement approach described above.
