Nicola Sturgeon said she is seeking military help for Scotland's ambulance service as patients are waiting several hours to get treatment.

The First Minister apologised to people suffering long waits and said a number of actions are being considered.

She was asked by Douglas Ross, Tory leader, who said the ambulance service is in crisis as he raised the case of 65 year-old, Gerard Brown, who our sister paper, The Herald, revealed had died after a 40 hour wait for an ambulance.

READ MORE: Anger as Glasgow father-of-three dies after 40-hour wait for ambulance

Sturgeon said long waits were "unacceptable" and added the "detailed request" for military help was being considered now.

She said: "The Ambulance Service is working under acute pressure, largely due to Covid.

"I recognise some people are not getting the service they deserve and I apologise to anyone experiencing long waits.

She said the government was "seeking targeted military assistance" for the service.

Sturgeon added the pressure was: "Largely due to covid, mirrored across the UK and many parts of world because of Covid.

"It’s not acceptable to me or anyone.

"It is the latest in a number of significant challenges opposed by the pandemic."

Ross said: "This shouldn’t be happening in Scotland in 2021."

He asked if the First Minister accepted the ambulance service was in crisis.

Anas Sarwar, Labour leader, said: "No-one should be left to die on the floor while waiting 40 hours for an ambulance."

He said the Scottish Government was hiding behind the pandemic as cover for its "failures".

He said "urgent action" was needed now.

He added: "People are tragically dying waiting for ambulances".

Sturgeon said there was more than 1000 people in hospital with covid.

She added: "We are facing probably the most challenging winter for the health service in our lifetime."