‘Critical’ paramedic services risk lives of patients

SCOTLAND’S ambulance service is in a ‘critical condition’, with staff at breaking point and patients at risk.

Research has found Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) staff and paramedics are overworked and highly stressed. It also revealed ‘lack of adequate resources’ has led to longer waits, putting lives at risk.

Trade union Unison is calling for urgent action to address the issues which emerge in its survey, An Emergency But No Accident, published today.

Regional organiser David O’Connor said: ‘This report reveals the immense pressure facing ambulance staff. We need urgent action to increase funding and resources.’

The survey found that, despite an increase in funding and staff numbers over the past five years, demand is increasing by 4 per cent per year, the equivalent of an extra 24,000 calls.

Unison’s SAS branch secretary Stevie Gilroy said: ‘This report sends a stark warning to the SAS. We’re already at crisis point and need urgent action to protect this vital service.’

An SAS spokesman said: ‘Our staff do a fantastic job caring for patients and saving lives.

‘We recognise it can also be a stressful job, which is why we have a wide range of support mechanisms available.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We value the tremendous job our ambulance service staff do in what can be exceptionally challenging circumstances. We have invested almost £900million in the SAS in the last four years.’

‘Report sends a stark warning’