Lancashire paramedics 'questioning' their future
We're speaking to the people behind the picket line
Paramedics across Lancashire are walking out of work for the second time this week in an ongoing row over working conditions.
People working on ambulances say the current situation is enough to make them reconsider their career and move away from the NHS.
Shaun Tierney is an advanced paramedic and represents the Unite Union. He says:
"It's heartbreaking. You can see patients who have called at an appropriate time, but by the time we get to them they've deteriorated significantly, or sometimes we get there and they've died and that has an impact on you.
"We call it 'moral injury, and being exposed to that every day, certainly takes it's toll on you.
"Mentally it makes you question if you want to work in a system that is causing harm. Do you try and fight it, like we are doing, or do you just walk away because it's causing yourself harm too?
"It makes you think about your future and where you want to be.
"Experienced paramedics that are burnt out are looking at other options outside the service (NHS) where they can get better working conditions and better pay, and then the young ones that are coming through won't benefit from that experience and they'll leave too."
Paramedics are walking out of work again today (Tuesday 24th January) the North West Ambulance Service Service has worked with Unions to ensure there is enough resources to protect people's lives and limbs during the strike action.