Absences a cry for help by paramedics

“Paramedics are suffering fatigue, working long hours and are covering for neighbouring crews”

There is an obvious irony, of course, in revelations that the emergency rescue service which gives most medical help is itself stricken by illness. Figures obtained by The Press and Journal revealed that nearly 140 paramedics were signed off ill in the past seven months – almost reaching the total for the whole of the previous year. The statistics for Highlands and Grampian almost match each other, with 64 and 65 respectively during the same period, and are both approaching the figures for the nearest comparable previous 12 months. The background to this is that many people regard the ambulance service in the north and northeast as being at breaking point through under-staffing. Paramedics are suffering fatigue, working long hours and are covering for neighbouring crews. This has led to accusations of missing official time limits for arriving at calls. There are suspicions that crews are being pulled from pillar to post by being dragged out of position. It is hard not to draw the obvious conclusion that these sick rates are linked inextricably with poor working conditions. Scottish Ambulance Service appears to be doing its best to offer plenty of support to its sick and stressed crews, but they should not be put in this predicament in the first place.