In response to the article “Ambulance Paramedic Recruiting Crisis” in Tuesday’s edition of the Daily Echo, I was interested to read Mr Mark Ainsworth-Smith’s comments about the profession being less attractive due to the years, rather than weeks, of education now required to be a paramedic.
Firstly, I would have thought that any member of the public who has call to meet a paramedic professionally would be rather pleased that they’d received years, rather than weeks of training, as would Mr Ainsworth-Smith in his position as consultant emergency care practitioner.
Interestingly universities who offer paramedic education are massively oversubscribed every year and nationally most universities are increasing paramedic student numbers, which they wouldn't be in a position to do if we are to believe Mr Ainsworth-Smith.
Maybe South Central Ambulance Service and Mr Ainsworth-Smith need to look closer to home to establish the root cause of this particular recruitment crisis?
Malcolm Smith, Southampton.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here