South's ambulance staff are "at breaking point"
UNISON is calling for more help from central government
Last updated 27th Apr 2022
Ambulance staff across the country feeling "overwhelmed" by long hours, distressing work, and poor pay.
UNISON say staff are experiencing emotional breakdowns, sleep problems, mood swings and the use of anti-depressants.
It's being put down to staff shortages and long-term underfunding, with some members of staff having to rely on foodbanks.
Peter Steventon is the branch secretary for UNISON at the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), which operates services in West Sussex and part of Hampshire.
He told us:
"Our sickness within the ambulance service is sky high. There are people suffering with PTSD, suffering with mental health concerns. It's all on the increase.
"We have staff that have to do regular overtime just to live a normal life. In the job we're doing, you have to switch off.
"If you go to a traumatic cardiac arrest, if you go to people that are dying far too early in life, that takes a toll on you and you need to take time.
"We want more vehicles and we want more staff. The whole system needs to be looked at."