Written Question · S2W-03788 · Session 2
What steps are being taken to increase the number of paramedics serving in the (a) Scottish Ambulance Service and (b) Vale of Leven ambulan…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase the number of paramedics serving in the (a) Scottish Ambulance Service and (b) Vale of Leven ambulance station.
The answer
The Scottish Ambulance Service is currently halfway through a five-year programme to have a paramedicin every frontline ambulance by 2005-06. This involves the training of over 600additional paramedics. The training programme is widely advertised andambulance technicians are encouraged to apply. Direct recruitment is also usedto increase the number of paramedics in the service, subject of course tochecking of qualifications.
The ambulance service’sSouth West Division has an action plan to increase the number of paramedicsacross the division, including at the Vale of Leven Ambulance Station.Paramedic cover in Vale of Leven is supplemented by the use of overtime and theservice plans to post suitable direct recruitment personnel into the area. Iknow that the ambulance service has been in discussion with NHS Argyll and Clyde aboutthe implications of the changes to clinical services at the Vale of LevenHospital and I understand that funding has been secured for extra ambulanceresources.
To become a paramedic,ambulance technicians must have at least 18 months operational experience. Theyalso have to sit a pre-entry examination. Training takes six weeks at the Scottish Ambulance College withfour weeks clinical training in hospital. The costs of training a paramedic arebetween £8,000 and £10,000 depending on what operational cover is required tosupport their absence from their home base.
The ambulance service’sSouth West Division has an action plan to increase the number of paramedicsacross the division, including at the Vale of Leven Ambulance Station.Paramedic cover in Vale of Leven is supplemented by the use of overtime and theservice plans to post suitable direct recruitment personnel into the area. Iknow that the ambulance service has been in discussion with NHS Argyll and Clyde aboutthe implications of the changes to clinical services at the Vale of LevenHospital and I understand that funding has been secured for extra ambulanceresources.
To become a paramedic,ambulance technicians must have at least 18 months operational experience. Theyalso have to sit a pre-entry examination. Training takes six weeks at the Scottish Ambulance College withfour weeks clinical training in hospital. The costs of training a paramedic arebetween £8,000 and £10,000 depending on what operational cover is required tosupport their absence from their home base.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-03788 by reference.