Scottish Ambulance Service Staff Sickness 'Unacceptably High'

Sickness levels in the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) have been branded unacceptably high'' as Conservatives claimed 574,000 hours of work were lost in the last year as a result of staff being off ill.

Tory health spokesman Jackson Carlaw urged the Scottish Government to take meaningful action'' to help the emergency service.

Absence levels for the first quarter of this year remain above target at 7.0%'', the latest meeting of the ambulance service board was told.

Staff sickness resulted in 47,000 working hours being lost in May alone, the Conservatives said, adding this took the total for the 12 months until then to 574,000.

A spokesman for the SAS said it had a range of measures that are rigorously applied to manage sickness absence''.

But Mr Carlaw said: The levels of staff absence within the ambulance service have been unacceptably high for a considerable period now.

It's time the Scottish Government stepped in and took some meaningful action to help the organisation.''

The Conservative MSP added: Taxpayers and patients will be mortified at these tens of thousands of hours lost each month as a direct result of people being off sick.

Not only does it have a financial consequence, it clearly puts immense strain on the staff who are left to get on with what is a tough and thankless job.

And all of that risks a poorer quality of service for patients, some of whose lives depend on ambulances.''

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: We value the dedication of our ambulance workers extremely highly. They provide a first class service, often under challenging and physically demanding circumstances, and we are determined to support them to do so.

That is why the Scottish Ambulance Service has received resource increases in both 2014/15 and 2015/16, which has allowed additional staff to be recruited and trained year on year since September 2007.

Ambulance service managers are working closely with trade union partners and staff to develop strategies to promote health and well-being - including fast-track physiotherapy and support services, and self-referral to occupational health. These arrangements are monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure staff have the best possible support.''

An SAS spokesman said: Ambulance crews undertake a very physically demanding job which involves significant moving and handling of patients, often in the most difficult and challenging situations. The service employs a range of measures that are rigorously applied to manage sickness absence, including fast-track physiotherapy and employee counselling and support services.

Managers work closely with trade union partners and staff to develop strategies to prevent stress and promote health and well-being. Staff can self-refer to occupational health and other support services, which provides quick access to the most appropriate help for anyone who needs it.

Occupational health arrangements are monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that staff are provided with the best possible support.''