Student paramedics joining frontline coronavirus fight
Around 100 students from Glasgow Caledonian University are joining the Scottish Ambulance Service today.
Students from Glasgow Caledonian University are joining the front line today to help paramedics tackling the coronavirus.
Third year paramedic science students will be based at the temporary NHS Louisa Jordan hospital at the SEC, while first and second years will work as ambulance care assistants.
Caitlin Kelly, 26, from Johnstone, will be based at NHS Louisa Jordan.
She said: “I am just so glad I can help and be involved in this emergency because it’s what I’ve worked towards for the last three years.
“I feel a little nervous which is to be expected but answering emergencies and never knowing what the next call is going to be is why I wanted to be a paramedic in the first place, it’s part of the job.
“I feel confident and well-prepared. We’ve trained for many different emergency scenarios and had time on the road with the ambulance service responding to 999 calls during my three-year course. The education and hands-on training really stands me in good stead.
“I’ve really enjoyed the course and it made me realise this is what I want to do. Being able to help out in a national emergency makes me feel very proud.
“All the support and training from my mentor at GCU has helped me greatly feel ready to help out during this time.”
Programme Lead Samantha Paterson, said: “We are very proud that 70 per cent of our students across all years are going into employment with the Scottish Ambulance Service to assist transport provision at the NHS Louisa Jordan site from next week.
“We work very closely with the Scottish Ambulance Service and much of the training is very hands-on so they are well prepared for the workplace.
“For all the students, it has been a massive upheaval for them and a rapid rate of change, so thank you to all of them for their patience and bearing with us.
“A message for those students going into employment is just ‘stay safe, learn lots and we will see you in September or when you qualify’.
“For those who can’t go into employment because of family commitments, please don’t worry, just keep going. We absolutely value your commitment and contribution to the programme at this time as well. We are still here for all of you.”
The Scottish Ambulance Service is thanking the students for their support during the emergency.
Pauline Howie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “We are very thankful for the student paramedics offering their support in these challenging times. This is an unprecedented situation and the support we have received right across the country has been amazing. If we all work together we can manage the impact of this virus in Scotland.”