Monday 14 December 2015

Doubling in paramedics leaving the NHS

Fears that shortages of paramedics could reach 'catastrophic levels' with doubling in numbers leaving the NHS while a poll of GPs find back 'mass resignation'

The number of paramedics leaving the NHS has doubled in four years Photo: Alamy

YouTube prankster Ben Phillips found himself watching the Rugby World Cup with Dan Stevens and Harry Styles

By Laura Donnelly, Health Editor

12:01AM GMT 10 Dec 2015

The number of paramedics leaving the NHS has doubled in four years, sparking fears that shortages could soon reach “catastrophic” levels.

Official figures show a shortage of 1,500 workers across England and Wales, with around one in ten posts now unfilled.

The shortfall is such that most ambulance trusts have attempted to recruit abroad, going as far afield as Australia in an attempt to lure paramedics with a £4,500 “golden hello”.

"The vacancy rate across the ambulance service is reaching dangerous levels"

Rehana Azam, GMB

The Home Office has placed paramedics on a shortage occupation list, relaxing immigration rules in an attempt to plug the gaps with foreign workers.

The research by unions, from workforce figures, show that in 2014/15 more than 1,500 paramedics left the ambulance service, compared with 845 in 2010/11.

Ambulance services are under growing demand Photo: PA

A survey of more than 3,000 ambulance workers by UNISON, Unite and the GMB found 73 per cent said they were considering leaving.

It comes before the unions give evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body next week.

Over the last year, London Ambulance Service – recently placed in “special measures” - has hired more than 400 paramedics from Australia and New Zealand.

An 87 per cent increase in investment for training will deliver around 2,000 paramedics over the next five years

NHS England

Other trusts have turned to Poland and Ireland in a bid to plug spiralling vacancy rates.

UNISON said that without an increase in pay for paramedics, crisis shortages across the country could turn into "a catastrophe".

Rehana Azam, GMB acting national secretary said: “The vacancy rate across the ambulance service is reaching dangerous levels. This combined with staff shortages means existing staff have to shoulder more responsibility and crews responding to 999 calls are staffed inadequately. The service needs proper investment and full recognition of skills if we are to retain staff.”

Ambulance services are recruiting abroad Photo: Alamy

An NHS England spokesperson said: “A major piece of work led by Health Education England has begun to train the paramedics of the future. An 87 per cent increase in investment for training will deliver around 2,000 paramedics over the next five years, with the first tranche qualifying in 2016/17.”

Family doctors threaten exodus

Almost half of GPs say they are prepared to resign from the NHS in protest at the state of their services.

A poll of 922 family doctors by Pulse magazine found that 49 per cent said they would support “mass resignation” to protest against underfunding, excess bureaucracy and shortages of GPs.

Doctors said they wanted to send “post-dated resignation letters” en masse to show the Government how unhappy they were, accusing ministers of criticising GPs without taking account of how hard they worked.

Dr David Goldberg, a GP in Merseyside, said: “Over the last few years all actions by the Government point to the fact that they are engineering a fight with doctors. The Government misrepresents us repeatedly. They misrepresent doctors’ work ethic but nothing could be further from the truth. The only option we have left is to post-date resignation letters en masse.”

Comments

Best Buy Current Accounts
Bank	Account Name	Offer	More details
Nationwide	FlexDirect	5% in credit interest	Apply
TSB	Classic Plus	5% AER interest on offer	Apply
M&S Bank	Current Account	£100 gift voucher	Apply