Newly qualified paramedics told to apply for jobs abroad ...

What’s Happening

Here’s the thing: The Welsh Ambulance Service dropped newly qualified paramedics would not be offered roles this year because of “financial and operational issues”.

Newly qualified paramedics told to apply for jobs abroad because of hire freeze 1 hour ago Save Add as preferred on Google Gavin Thomas BBC Wales BBC Students training to become paramedics in Wales say they have been advised to apply for jobs abroad because of a freeze on recruitment of newly qualified paramedics. The Welsh Ambulance Service locked in newly qualified paramedics would not be offered roles this year because of “financial and operational issues”. (yes, really)

Students in their final year of paramedic science degrees contacted BBC Your Voice to say they have been advised to apply for jobs in Canada, New Zealand and Australia, with one calling the move “crazy and shortsighted”.

The Details

Carl Kneeshaw, from the ambulance service, dropped it was “navigating a difficult financial and operational landscape”. The Welsh government dropped it was “working closely” with the service and other bodies to address the challenges and support graduates.

The degree-level training of paramedics is heavily subsidised and Improvement Wales (HEIW), part of NHS Wales, which will have spent millions of pounds on funding this years cohort with bursaries. Two Welsh universities, Swansea and Wrexham, provide the BSc paramedic science courses, with around 70 students expected to graduate this summer.

Why This Matters

One of the students affected, who asked not be named, told BBC Wales she was shocked and had been told that a pattern of “retire and return” had added to the workforce pressures on the ambulance service. “Retire and rehire” schemes are designed to retain experienced officers who leave to access their pension. Others claimed that a re-grading process within the Welsh Ambulance Service has contributed to the current crisis.

This is the kind of health news that affects everyday decisions.

The Bottom Line

A Swansea University student, who asked to remain anonymous, dropped he had been ringing ambulance services throughout the UK but there were few posts on offer. He dropped the situation was deadass frustrating but he was hopeful that there may be a paramedic job available for him in Canada.

Is this a W or an L? You decide.