Paramedic crews at the Longwater depot of the East of England Ambulance Service Trust face long hours and delayed handovers as they struggle to meet the demands of their job. The first task of the day is often cohorting, where a crew is sent to relieve colleagues so they can finish their shift. However, delays in handovers can have a snowball effect, requiring crews to do overtime. The challenging conditions have led some paramedics to consider leaving the profession.
One example of the strain faced by paramedic crews is the case of a 78-year-old woman who suffered a fall and had to wait almost 10 hours to be transferred from the hospital to the ambulance. The paramedic who had taken care of her expressed frustration at not being able to do the job he had been trained for, feeling deskilled and sorry for the patients. After the woman was finally transferred, the crew set off to assist a patient with abdominal pain, but were twice diverted to other incidents.
Another incident involved an 88-year-old man who fell and experienced abdominal pain. It took almost two-and-a-half hours for the crew to respond to the call, well beyond the 18-minute target for category 2 calls. The crew faced an overcrowded hospital and a wait time of several hours for their patient to access A&E. Despite frustrations with the delays and waiting times, the crew remained dedicated to their work and pushed for the patient to receive a CT scan, hoping it would expedite his treatment.
The challenges faced by paramedic crews are not limited to delays and overcrowding. They also have to contend with a lack of rest breaks and overtime. Even with hours left in their shifts, paramedics often have to plan ahead to ensure they finish on time. The demanding nature of the job and the frustrations caused by delays can take a toll on staff morale. However, measures such as a welfare wagon providing drinks and snacks aim to address some of these issues. Despite the challenges, paramedics remain committed to their work and strive to provide the best care possible for their patients.
