AMBULANCE services across North and West Scotland are to be given a staffing boost, it has been announced.
The 14 new paramedic and ambulance technician roles will come as part of an extra £20 million in funding from the Scottish Government over the past two years.
The Scottish Ambulance Service said the new posts, seven of which will be in the North and seven in the West, will help to “reduce or eliminate on-call working”, and provide twenty-four hour ambulance cover.
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It added that a reduction in on-call work would improve the work/life balance of staff and reduce fatigue.
Of the 14 new roles, three will be based in Broadford, on Skye.The service added: “This will be in addition to the investment as part of the Scottish Ambulance Service’s Demand and Capacity programme to reduce on-call hours in Dunvegan and Kyle.”
Fort William will have two new ambulance posts, while Kirkwall, Orkney, will also have two new posts.
In the West of Scotland, all seven of the new posts will be based in Campbeltown.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf (above) said: “The Scottish Ambulance Service is the heartbeat of our NHS. It has a unique role in engaging with all parts of the health and social care system across the whole of Scotland – 24 hours of every day. It is vital that we ensure it has the support it needs to perform this crucial role which is why we announced an additional £20 million funding last week.
“These additional posts will help to improve the level of service for communities in these rural areas while reducing the pressure on the workforce, who are doing so much to serve the public during these incredibly demanding times.”
Pauline Howie, chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “This funding announcement for fourteen new ambulance posts is great news. The additional paramedics and technicians will help to ensure we can provide full cover in some of our stations, including in Fort William and on Skye.
“These new measures will help to boost our capacity at a time when the NHS as a whole is facing unprecedented pressures, and will offer reassurance to communities across the region that we are investing in people and boosting our resilience.”
The news comes amid an ambulance crisis which has seen Scots wait hours to be attended and has led the Government to call on support from the armed services.
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