An Aberdeen university has revealed plans to boost the training opportunities for paramedics by launching a new course.
Grampian currently has 15 vacancies for ambulance staff, and the Scottish Ambulance Service is in the midst of recruiting, training and deploying 30 more.
Last month, the Press and Journal revealed a string of concerns about overworked and under-resourced crews in the region.
One whistle-blower claimed morale among “overworked” crews in Moray was at rock bottom, with a quarter of all sick leave caused by stress – with some suggesting they worked 72-hour shifts with little rest.
And last year, it emerged it took paramedics 27 minutes to reach 16-year-old cyclist Keiran McKandie as he lay dying in the road after being hit by a car – because the crews from surrounding stations were busy with other calls.
Now the Robert Gordon University has announced it will launch a new course, which will mostly be delivered online, to help tackle the shortage.
The course, entitled BSc paramedic practice – remote and hazardous environments, has been designed to be delivered on a part-time, basis over six years.
Successful completion of stages one and two would make the student eligible to apply for Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registration as a paramedic.
Most of the course will be delivered in an online format by ORMS personnel. This will include experienced paramedics, alongside medical staff, nurses and midwives.
Professor Ian Murray, head of the school of nursing and midwifery, said: “We at Robert Gordon University are delighted to be working in partnership with ORMS to bring forward this exciting course.
“The quality of service provided by these practitioners will be significantly enhanced by undertaking this course.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “There are currently 12 paramedic vacancies and three technician vacancies in the Grampian region.
“We are in the process of recruiting, training and deploying 30 new paramedics in the Grampian area in addition to two new specialist paramedics.
“The Grampian area will also benefit from a number of new accident and emergency vehicles as part of the national fleet replacement programme.
“The Scottish Ambulance Service continues to engage with patients, the public, staff and stakeholders throughout the region to ensure we are delivering the highest possible level of patient care.”
