IT IS refreshing to read a letter from the wife of a patient treated recently by the Ambulance Service (Brilliant – Mrs Pritchard, Coleford).
It must be very satisfying for the ambulance crews to get some praise for the invaluable work they do both within the Forest of Dean and nationally. Their work is carried out in similar circumstances to the police and fire services, and often in more dangerous and traumatic conditions, from treating heart attacks to violent drunks to victims of horrendous attacks.
They are trained in the use of life saving drugs and equipment as well as being highly skilled drivers to enable their patients to reach hospital in the shortest possible time without endangering the lives of themselves, their patients or other road users.
There is a popular perception that the paramedics and technicians of the ambulance service are paid on a par to the police and fire services. This perception has no basis in fact.
A police officer on recruitment receives a salary of £17,773 per annum, rising to £19,842 on completion of initial training, rising to £21,015 after two years. (Source: 10 Downing Street Public Sector Workers Fact sheet).
To place this in perspective this represents over £3,500 per annum more than a vastly experienced paramedic who has served for many years, and in all probability has saved many lives. To add insult to injury overtime is only paid at basic rate, no time and a half or double time and no shift allowances.
Is it not time that pay and conditions of service were brought into line?
We are levied a considerable sum each year via our council tax to aid the finances of the police force, a service which is generally considered to be inadequate despite the financial incentives. Why cannot this levy be diverted to the ambulance service, to provide not only a salary commensurate with responsibility, but for the continual updating of vital equipment? – Name and address supplied, Yorkley.