A record 540 paramedics, ambulance drivers, call handlers, and clinicians have been employed by the Scottish Ambulance Service in the last year.
This is driven by a £45 million funding boost announced as part of last week’s NHS winter resilience plan, which will ensure the NHS is working as efficiently as possible.
Of the 540 new staff, 296 staff were funded by the SNP Government as part the Service’s Demand and Capacity Programme which aims to deliver the best possible care for patients and protect staff welfare.
The increase in staff numbers is already having a tangible impact on response times – with 99% of all serious incidents, such as heart attacks, being dealt with in under 30 minutes.
The investment will increase the number of patients treated in the community, reducing the need for hospital admission and easing pressure on NHS services.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“This winter will be one of the most challenging our NHS has ever faced, and we need to make sure people are getting the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
“The SNP Government continues its massive investment into the Scottish Ambulance Service, so it can continue expanding its resources and staff, delivering a high-quality emergency service to the people of North Ayrshire and Scotland.
“Ambulance staff have shown remarkable resilience in the face of sustained pressure on services and we should be grateful for their continued commitment and hard work.”
Pauline Howie, Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive said:
“The last 12 months have been the busiest ever in terms of recruitment for the Service and this funding announcement is great news as we continue to experience unprecedented pressures on our services alongside the entire NHS.
"With the increased demand for our services, it’s vital we boost our capacity and resilience by introducing extra resources and staffing. These new staff will complement our existing staff who have done an amazing job before and right throughout the pandemic.”
If you are considering working or volunteering with the Scottish Ambulance Service, please visit their recruitment website here.
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