Angry & embarrassed: paramedic warns Scotland's ambulance crews are at breaking point
Union warning as the Scottish Government calls in the military
Last updated 17th Sep 2021
MFR News is hearing the crisis facing Scotland's ambulance service is leaving paramedics angry, frustrated, and embarrassed when they turn up hours late.
Unite convener at the Scottish Ambulance Service, Jamie McNamee, says there can sometimes be conflict with anxious families who've waited hours for support.
The paramedic is warning the service is at breaking point: "The reality is people are waiting unacceptable lengths of time.
"There have been several severe incidents and many have been reported in the media, and it's a sad state of affairs.
Conflict with families
"There's a lot of embarassment for the crews when they turn up and there's been a significant delay, and they're presented with relatives who are, obviously, upset and anxious.
"That can sometimes lead to conflict.
"The ambulance crews are caught in the middle.
The patients are suffering excessive delays, and that's building up frustration in the crews.
"The danger here is that there are people who have dialed 999 and are left unattented.
Military support
It comes as the Scottish Government is asking the military to bring in additional support.
On Thursday, Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs during First Minister's Questions the possibility of asking for aid was "under active consideration'', but the request came just a few hours later.
READ MORE: Military brought in to help out
The MoD has said the request relates to support of the mobile testing units currently deployed by the Scottish Ambulance Service, which would free up resources within the service.
Ms Sturgeon apologised to people who had endure long waits for ambulances, including the family of 65-year-old Gerald Brown, the Glasgow man who died while waiting 40 hours for treatment.
She told MSPs: "A range of actions have already been taken to address these challenges, for example additional funding to support new recruitment."
Staff could quit warning
Jamie McNamee is warning the military support, alone will not be enough to address the crisis in the ambulance service.
"Morale is very low and we have a whole range of people considering their options about staying in the ambulance service. There's a lot of frustration and there's a lot of anger.
"We'll end up breaking these people who are valuable assets to the organisation.