Paramedics should not be used as “taxi drivers” for hospital transfers

A trade union leader called for urgent action to stop highly-trained staff effectively being used as “taxi drivers”.

Unite regional officer Tommy Campbell wants to see a cut to the quantity of hospital transfers paramedics are made to carry out.

He said: “It is a waste of skilled paramedics’ time to have them essentially act as taxi drivers.

“About 25% of all calls in Aberdeen are tasked to rural crews, which means that while paramedics are dropping patients off at ARI, their own main bases have no cover.

“The situation beggars belief, and it’s something management must be held to account for.”

Mr Campbell has urged Scottish Ambulance Service management to begin work on redressing the problems immediately.

He added: “What’s needed is a dedicated transfer vehicle, with two emergency drivers and three technicians employed.

“That would provide cover for 12 hours every day, and free up the paramedics to respond to emergencies.”