The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has recruited a record 1,388 staff and introduced 52 additional ambulances in the past three years as part of its Demand and Capacity Programme.
Launched in 2019, the Demand and Capacity programme is the largest and most complex programme ever undertaken at the SAS.
A multi-pound investment from Scottish Ministers has enabled hundreds of new A&E staff - Paramedics, Technicians, Ambulance Care Assistants and Advanced Practitioners to be recruited.
464 frontline A&E staff were recruited last year, in addition to recruitment of 924 over the previous two years.
Of the 464 this past year:
368 are Trainee Technicians 33 Qualified Paramedics 47 Qualified Paramedics 6 Advanced Practitioners 10 Qualified Technicians.
153 were recruited for the East Region, 105 for the North and 206 for the West.
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“The SNP Government’s increased investment in support of the Scottish Ambulance Service through their Demand and Capacity review guarantees that adequate resources are in place across Scotland to deliver a high-quality emergency service.
“Over the last three years, the estates element of programme has also enabled the opening of ten new stations, including nine co-locations with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, with Ardrossan being one of them.
“These additional resources will also help support existing staff, who have displayed remarkable resilience in the face of sustained pressure ever since the pandemic, and I thank them for their continued commitment and hard work.”
