Scottish Ambulance Service – The NEN

Scottish ambulance workers demand new training route for ‘left behind’ colleagues

Frontline health workers across Scotland locked out of paramedic positions unless they leave paid work to go to university
Over 700 Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) staff support new campaign to create a training route from technician to paramedic positions
Hard-working ambulance workers with families, mortgages and caring responsibilities being forced to choose between their NHS careers and university study
Campaign warns experienced NHS staff are being left behind despite already having years of frontline clinical experience
New pathway could help tackle paramedic recruitment challenges in remote and rural communities
Campaign to stage major actions at ambulance stations all over Scotland in order to secure negotiations with Health Secretary Angela Constance
Backed by all major unions (GMB, Unite and UNISON) who represent thousands of ambulance workers

More than 700 Scottish Ambulance Service staff are backing a campaign to give experienced Ambulance Technicians a route into paramedic roles without having to leave their jobs to study full-time.

Technicians are skilled frontline NHS workers who already work alongside paramedics, responding to emergencies and caring for patients across Scotland. But since 2021, new paramedics have been required to complete a university degree, leaving experienced technicians with few options to progress.

For workers with children, mortgages, caring responsibilities and other financial commitments, giving up a paid NHS job to become a full-time student simply isn’t realistic. As a result, experienced staff are being left behind despite years of frontline clinical experience.

The campaign is calling for a Technician-to-Paramedic pathway that recognises technicians’ existing education, skills and clinical experience, while maintaining the same academic, clinical and professional standards required of all paramedics.

This is not about lowering standards. It is about making sure experienced NHS staff do not have to start again from scratch when they have already demonstrated the knowledge and skills required.

A new pathway could also help strengthen paramedic recruitment in remote and rural communities by allowing experienced technicians who already live and work there to progress their careers while continuing to serve their local communities.

Adam Clearly, Ambulance Technician, Paisley: “After the first lockdown, I found myself in admiration for the NHS and wanted to contribute as much as I could. I took great pride in my work as a dispatcher. I wanted to help patients on the front line and challenge myself”

“Because technicians across the country are truly the backbone of SAS, and there is no replacement for the experience, knowledge and compassion that technicians gain. Having time as a technician prior to completion your paramedic degree would ensure staff are well prepared for the realities of the ambulance service, and that candidates for the paramedic ticket have proved in practice they are capable of the step up.”

“I am currently unable to progress my career, and at times this has made me consider leaving the service. I feel somewhat trapped. Progression is limited, and will always favour those that are paramedics, despite having much less experience and regardless of their skills or knowledge.

“This campaign would give me a pathway to success and give technicians across the country a new sense of purpose, a chance to prove their worth, which is slowly fading from SAS.”

Frances Malley, Technician, Ellon: “I joined SAS in 2022 as a technician after working in a community based job. I left that role because Covid required me to work from home which I found very challenging. My 2 children had left for university so I had the opportunity to go for a job I had always wanted to do.”

“Historically, Technician wasn’t simply a job you entered and stayed in indefinitely, it was described by SAS as the first stage towards becoming a registered paramedic. During the interview process I was told that I would be expected to progress from Technician to paramedic but the option has been taken away.

“The tech to paramedic pathway would mean that we would get that opportunity without having to spend 3 years at university. If I went to university it would have financial implications, plus the difficulties of juggling work and placements.

“A new pathway would give rural technicians like myself, an equal opportunity to progress and service our communities.”

PETITION: https://www.change.org/p/create-a-fair-route-for-ambulance-technicians-to-become-paramedics

Paramedics on Scene returns for seventh season on BBC Scotland

Paramedics on Scene, the award-winning observational series documenting the work of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), premieres on BBC Scotland tonight – 28 June at 9pm.

The opening episode features an attack on two members of staff when a patient becomes violent, forcing Glasgow crewmates Gregg and Bernadette to take shelter.

Elsewhere, a frontline crew in Dundee treats a patient with a potentially fatal drug overdose, while SORT North responds to a suspected stroke. Viewers also follow an SAS call handler managing 999 calls relating to two road traffic collisions.

This season follows frontline ambulance crews in Aberdeen, Perth, Ayr and Dunoon, alongside SAS’s three Ambulance Control Centres. The Service’s Special Operations Response Teams (SORT) in the North and West, and the Air Ambulance Service, also return.

SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson said: “We’re delighted Paramedics on Scene is back for another season, giving people the opportunity to see how the whole Service operates – from the 999 call, through ambulance dispatch, to the critical clinical response.

“It also highlights the challenges our staff face, including the unprovoked attacks featured in this first episode. Our colleagues experience violence and aggression on an almost daily basis. While these incidents represent only a small proportion of the thousands of patients we treat each year, they are completely unacceptable. Ambulance staff are dedicated to providing the best possible care for the public, and these incidents can have lasting consequences despite our best efforts.

We’d like to thank our valued partners at Firecrest, who do a brilliant job of bringing the show to life.”

Firecrest Films Head of Documentaries Mick McAvoy said: “It’s hugely exciting to see the new series hit our screens on BBC Scotland and the BBC iPlayer. Over the last year, we’ve had remarkable access to the Scottish Ambulance Service, following paramedics, emergency responders and call handlers as they work on the frontline.

“I believe this is our most hard-hitting series yet. Across ten episodes, viewers will see the challenges, pressures and dangers ambulance crews face every day, alongside the extraordinary skill and life-saving care they bring to those in need.

“Thanks to the generosity and commitment of everyone who took part, we’ve been able to capture a powerful and authentic insight into a service that aims to help people at the most critical moments in their lives.”

Steve Allen, BBC Scotland Commissioning Executive, Factual, said: “Paramedics on Scene offers audiences a compelling insight into the range of emergencies and the pressures Scotland’s ambulance crews face.

“This new series captures not only the intensity and unpredictability of frontline care, but also the remarkable skill, resilience and compassion shown by crews in some of the most challenging circumstances.”

Season seven of Paramedics on Scene airs on BBC Scotland at 9pm every Sunday and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

Norway Paramedic Students visit Edinburgh

The Scottish Ambulance Service welcomed two groups of trainees from the Ambulance Service of the University Hospital of Northern Norway to Edinburgh City Station recently.

The groups were given a tour by Team Leader Donna Edwards and attended presentations from Kevin Scott from the National Risk and Resilience Department (NRRD) and Andrew Nisbet, who spoke about the Advanced Practice in Urgent and Primary Care team.

SAS emergency responders to run Edinburgh Half Marathon for SCAA

Five emergency responders in Aberdeen will take part in the Edinburgh Half Marathon later this month to raise money for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).

Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) staff Saoirse Killian (Paramedic), Katie Ross (Paramedic), Mia Bremner (Paramedic), Lauren Dunridge (Technician) and Sophie Fraser (Technician) will run the 13.1 miles on 24 May.

SCAA operate two helicopters which supplement the two helicopters and two fixed- wing aircraft which are operated by SAS and are government funded.

Mia said: “We have all experienced first-hand the life-saving impact of the charity air ambulance, from providing vital support to ground crews to enabling a rapid response in rural areas and ensuring patients are conveyed to the most appropriate setting for definitive care.”

Criona Knight, SCAA’s Director of Development and Engagement, said: “As a charity, we work in close partnership with the experienced clinical and paramedic teams at the Scottish Ambulance Service, and we see their expertise and dedication every day.

“We are very grateful to Saoirse, Katie, Mia, Lauren and Sophie for their fundraising efforts. We will all be right behind them on Sunday 24 May, supporting them as they take on this challenge. Lives are saved across Scotland every day thanks to the teams at SAS and SCAA.

“Through this effort, they are going even further by helping to raise vital funds. On behalf of the whole team, I would like to say a huge thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at the finish line.”

Scottish Ambulance Service: Gathering patient feedback through text messages

The Scottish Ambulace Service has been issuing text messages via GOV.Notify to patients to gather their feedback on their experiences with the service.

To date, feedback messages have been sent to patients who have used the Falls pathways, those who experienced breathing difficulties, NHS24 callers who were transferred onto SAS, and patients who were triaged through our clinical hub and did not require an ambulance.

The primary aim of gathering patient experience data is to understand how patients are treated, identify service gaps, support learning and development, and inform resource allocation and service improvements.

SAS will be issuing text messages to patients who have experienced breathing difficulties and falls.

The text will be issued via GOV.Notify and link to a Webropol survey. If you receive this text, please complete the survey so we can ensure the Scottish Ambulance Service is proving the right care in the right place.

Scottish Ambulance Service staff face daily violence and abuse

Staff at the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) continue to face unacceptable levels of violence and verbal abuse, with new concerning figures revealing that every day a staff member is assaulted or abused.

In the year 2024/2025, 369 SAS staff were physically assaulted or verbally abused, an increase of 11% compared to 2023/2024.

Nearly 200 staff members were physically hurt while on shift and with the majority of incidents happening in the East and West of the country.

These include staff being spat on, kicked, punched and threatened with weapons.

Gillian Sommerville, Technician at Leven Station, Fife, said she was with her work partner on a nightshift when they received a call at 2am to attend an unconscious male.

She said: “When we arrived, there were also three other males in their mid-teens who appeared to be under the influence of unknown alcohol or drugs and were confrontational. Due to the freezing temperatures, we quickly lifted the patient in the vehicle. The three friends then started shouting and banging on the ambulance and rocking the vehicle.

“Minutes later, the back door and side door were opened and two of the friends jumped in shouting at us. I was wedged at the top of the trolley as the third friend tried to grab me through the window. I tried to continually push him off. My partner was stuck between two of the friends near the back of the vehicle and they were shouting in her face.”

Gillian said as the patient woke up, his friends tried to drag him off the trolley. She then phoned for urgent police assistance. Gillian, who suffered an injury to her arm and spent several months undergoing physiotherapy, said three of the men were arrested and the patient subsequently assaulted a police officer while in hospital.

SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson said: “The fact that our staff face daily violence, verbal abuse or aggression is completely unacceptable.

“These incidents can have a significant and lasting impact on our people, sometimes even leading them to leave the ambulance service.

“They have the right to carry out their work helping patients and saving lives without fear of assault or abuse and we will continue to work with Police Scotland, like we have done on this occasion, to take action against perpetrators.”

The figures are from December 2024 – 30 November 2025. 192 SAS staff were physically assaulted while 177 were verbally abused

The King’s New Year Honours 2026 – Police, Fire and Ambulance

Recipients of blue light service medals in Scotland

King’s Police Medal

Joanna Farrell Chief Constable, Police Scotland

Stephen Dolan, Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland

Andrew Freeburn, Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland

King’s Fire Service Medal

Alexander Muir, Firefighter, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Stuart Stevens, Chief Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

King’s Ambulance Service Medal

David Lee Bywater, Lead Consultant Paramedic, Scottish Ambulance Service

KING’S POLICE MEDAL

Joanna Farrell, Chief Constable, Police Scotland

Chief Constable Joanna Farrell has an exemplary police career spanning more than 33 years across three Forces. For the past 6 years, she served as Chief Constable in Durham Constabulary and continues to serve as Chief Constable in Police Scotland, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic vision, together with personal resilience and commitment to public service. Recognised as a progressive and personable police leader, she places a clear focus on people, prevention and innovation, delivering a more efficient, effective and community centred policing for the public.

Chief Constable Farrell’s strategic leadership of Police Scotland has been a trailblazer for engaged well-informed decision making ensuring stronger outcomes for communities. She has carried this approach throughout her career, combining vision, collaboration and a clear focus on public benefit.

As the first female Chief Constable of Police Scotland, she is a role model to others both in what can be achieved but importantly how it can be achieved, through hard work and humility and without compromise on values and people focus, including family. Her approach to empowering and enabling staff goes beyond creating an environment for them to thrive, it is evident daily through her own personal demonstration of visible effective leadership in action.

Stephen Dolan, Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland

Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan has demonstrated exceptional dedication throughout his 32 years of distinguished service with Police Scotland and formerly Lothian and Borders Police. His career exemplifies unwavering commitment to protecting communities, building vital partnerships, and inspiring colleagues through compassionate leadership.

Beginning in West Edinburgh in 1992, Chief Superintendent Dolan’s early career showcased his tenacity in community policing and crime disruption. A pivotal role investigating sudden deaths and missing persons revealed his profound empathy, and helped shape his understanding of compassionate leadership. This experience propelled him into training roles where he mentored over 500 probationary officers.

In corporate leadership, Chief Superintendent Dolan delivered transformational change. He led the £21 million Mobile Working Project, rolling out devices to 11,000 frontline officers, saving 440,000 hours and enhancing officer safety and wellbeing—deemed “exemplary” by Scottish Government reviews.

Currently commanding Lanarkshire Division’s 1,350 officers serving 670,000 residents, Chief Superintendent Dolan has transformed partnership working. Council and NHS executives praise his compassionate leadership, particularly his advocacy for care-experienced young people and vulnerable communities.

His career embodies dedication, compassion, and distinguished public service worthy of the highest recognition.

Andrew Freeburn, Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland

Andrew Freeburn MBE served 32 years in policing across Northern Ireland and Scotland, rising from joining the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1992 to Assistant Chief Constable within Police Service of Scotland.

As Assistant Chief Constable, leading Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism, Cyber and Intelligence with Police Scotland he worked tirelessly to build partnerships at the Scottish Crime Campus, driving collaboration across over 30 law enforcement agencies through the Multi-Agency Tasking and Delivery Board.

As Executive lead for Counter Terrorism, he strengthened key partnerships and embedded a ‘one team’ approach between Police Scotland and CT partners, directly increasing Scotland’s ability to mitigate terrorist threats.

Assistant Chief Constable Freeburn also served as Senior Responsible Officer for the ‘Policing in a Digital World Programme’, developing Police Scotland’s operational Cyber Strategy.

Beyond operational duties, Assistant Chief Constable Freeburn’s commitment to ethics and values shaped policing across the United Kingdom. He contributed to Police Scotland’s ethics framework and devoted 10 years lecturing Law at Ulster University Belfast. His community service included serving as Non-Executive Director for the Simon Community homeless charity (2017-2022) and as Trustee for the Police Treatment Centre and Police Children’s charity.

KING’S FIRE SERVICE MEDAL

Alexander Muir, Firefighter, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Alex Muir’s remarkable 46-year firefighting career demonstrates exceptional dedication to serving Glasgow’s communities. Joining the service in 1979, he served at Springburn Fire Station until 1986 before transferring to Cowcaddens Fire Station, where he remains today. Simultaneously, since 1981, he has been a pivotal FBU Scotland union official, now serving as West Area Secretary.

Throughout his career, Alex Muir has been an unwavering advocate for firefighter safety and employee rights, successfully campaigning for improvements that have enhanced outcomes for Scotland’s communities. His operational excellence is evidenced by his response to major incidents including the 1980 Fruit Market fire, 1987 Treron’s Department Store fire, 1989 Belgrove train crash, 1999 Melrose Street fire, 2004 Clarendon Bar fire, and 2014 School of Art fire.

Alex Muir’s unique ability to understand issues from both union and fire service leadership perspectives has helped shape Scotland’s fire service direction. His decades-long involvement in the trade union movement demonstrates sustained commitment to firefighter wellbeing. Through nearly five decades of service, his legacy encompasses not only the fires fought and lives protected, but also the countless firefighters he has supported through his union work.

Stuart Stevens, Chief Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Chief Officer Stuart Stevens has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout his career with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), making significant contributions to community safety, operational excellence, and workforce development.

Chief Officer Stevens was instrumental in establishing the SFRS Prevention agenda during the formation of Scotland’s single national fire service, developing a unified approach to community safety through partnership working.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Officer Stevens provided decisive leadership that maintained operational continuity whilst prioritising staff safety. His calm approach ensured vital services continued during the national crisis, reinforcing public trust in the SFRS. He led the SFRS response to Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations, working with the Scottish Government’s Ministerial Working Group to implement necessary reforms and enhance fire safety standards.

A passionate advocate for firefighter safety, Chief Officer Stevens has driven s improvements which have created safer working environments and more effective emergency response capabilities.

Appointed Chief Officer in November 2024, his tenure exemplifies integrity, innovation, and unwavering dedication to public service.

KING’S AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL

David Lee Bywater, Lead Consultant Paramedic, Scottish Ambulance Service

David Lee Bywater has been a dedicated member of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) since 1996, qualifying as a a in 2001. In 2022, he was appointed to the substantive role of Lead Consultant Paramedic and acted as the interim director of Care Quality on the board from April 2024 to May 2025, where he strengthened the link between the front line and decision making.

He demonstrated leadership in supporting colleagues during the challenging winter of 2024. Bywater possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of pre-hospital emergency care. He has collaborated with the British Heart Foundation to develop a UK-wide solution for public access defibrillator use and has worked with Police Scotland to reform the procedure for dealing with pre-hospital child deaths.

He played a key role in delivering SASs commitment to Scotland’s Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest strategy and leads on paediatric care in SAS. He is a reservist with Scotland’s charity Air Ambulance and teaches and directs courses in pre-hospital emergency care, paediatric life support and major incident management and continues to volunteer as a responder in rural communities.

Penicuik Community First Responders celebrate 20 years of lifesaving service

A group of lifesaving volunteers from Penicuik have recently celebrated their 20th anniversary at Penicuik Rugby Club.

Penicuik Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service to respond to a potential life-threatening emergency in the vital first few minutes before an ambulance crew arrives.

The group covers the EH26 post code area and responds to emergencies such as cardiac arrests, heart attacks, seizures, and strokes. The group also maintain and manage eight publicly accessible external defibrillators (AED) in the area.

In addition to their lifesaving emergency response work and AED management, over the past 20 years, the Penicuik CFRs have delivered CPR and defibrillator awareness sessions to 1,128 people, helping residents gain the confidence and skills to act in a medical emergency.

Bill Lawson, Penicuik Community First Responder, said: “I have been a Community First Responder for nearly 20 years and what has struck me most is that the basic premise behind the CFR role and the aspirations of those who undertake the role is the same now as it has always been.

“The CFR role is a challenging one, but it has given me much more than it has taken. Being able to help people in times of stress has given me a profound sense of appreciation.

“Penicuik’s CFRs have come from a range of background and experiences but all of them have been dedicated volunteers, wanting to give something back to their community. It has been a delight and a privilege to be part of this group.”

Michael Dickson, Chief Executive, said: “Congratulations to the Penicuik Community First Responder Group on achieving this fantastic milestone. It was great to celebrate with them at their event, and this milestone is a testament to their dedication as volunteers.

“Our Community First Responders play a vital role in their communities and we are thankful to each and every one of them.”

For more information on the group and how to join as a volunteer:

www.penicuikcfr.com

Improving patient care over winter

Initiative will save thousands of ambulance journeys every month

Almost £1 million is being allocated to help reduce pressures on A&E departments and improve patient flow over the winter months.

The Scottish Ambulance Service will receive £995,000 to increase staffing for a clinical hub model, which uses GPs to triage patients as calls come in to prevent unnecessary ambulance dispatches and ensure everyone gets the treatment they need.

The system was trialled successfully over a weekend in September this year and it is estimated that it could save 12,000 ambulance journeys over winter as well as safely preventing an additional 4,500 patients being conveyed to Emergency Department front doors.

The funding will also enable the expansion of patient transport hubs in areas where pressures are greatest, using Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers who help identify and co-ordinate early discharges – reducing handover delays by keeping the flow of patients moving through the system in periods of high activity.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Improving patient care over the winter months is a priority and this funding will see patients treated faster in the setting which is appropriate for them.

“The measures being taken by the Scottish Ambulance Service will help cut unnecessary ambulance dispatches and improve patient outcomes and experiences through earlier clinical intervention.

“Our winter preparations have also seen a £20 million investment for health board initiatives to increase social care capacity and relieve pressure on acute services.

“And, as the temperature drops, we continue to urge those eligible for the flu vaccine to take up the offer.

“As always I thank all our dedicated health and social care staff who continue to work tirelessly to provide excellent care to all those who need it.”

Scottish Ambulance Service recruits almost 100 new staff ahead of winter

The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has boosted its staffing by bringing in almost 100 new recruits ahead of winter.

The extra staff were announced yesterday (Tuesday, 11 November) by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray while visiting the Service’s East Ambulance Control Centre (ACC) in South Queensferry.

The new staff include 25 call handlers who are based in the Service’s ambulance control centres and 22 staff, including GPs, clinical advisors and advanced practitioners, who have joined the Service’s Integrated Clinical Hub.

A dozen scheduled care coordinators who manage the Service’s patient transport vehicles have also been recruited, along with 36 ambulance care assistants who will transport patients to planned hospital or clinic appointments. An additional 72 ambulance care assistants will join SAS by April 2026.

Michael Dickson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “Compared to last year, we’re already seeing an increase of pressure on our services. It’s therefore essential that we continue to bolster our workforce to ensure we can give the best possible service to our patients and also provide support to our existing staff during this demanding time.

“To help our staff over winter, we’d like to remind the public that if you need urgent care, but it’s not life-threatening, you can call NHS 24 on 111, day or night, or visit your GP during opening hours.”

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “It was a pleasure to meet some of the new recruits and hardworking staff at the South Queensferry Control Centre.

“These new staff members will provide a crucial boost to the Scottish Ambulance Service as they deal with the increased demand and pressure that winter brings. This is on top of work already underway to recruit an additional 269 newly qualified paramedics this year.

“The additional call handlers and recruits to the Integrated Clinical Hub will all help to reduce conveyances and ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate care. The new staff working in the Hub will help triage less seriously ill patients who don’t need to go to A&E, freeing up ambulances and reducing pressure on emergency departments.”