175 paramedics from Australia and New Zealand started work in the London Ambulance Service this week. Paramedics were recruited in Australia to fill vacancies in the London Ambulance Service’s rosters.
The Aussie paramedics have completed a three-week course to familiarise themselves with the British system. London Ambulance Service’s Jason Killens explained that Australia’s education, training and health models are similar to the UK’s and that many Australian universities are producing graduates. It is for this reason that the organisation is recruiting from Australia as opposed to the US or Canada.
According to BBC News, the number of paramedics in London leaving the profession has just about trebled in the last three years. Killens was reported saying that he cannot employ UK graduates quickly enough.
Further recruitment drives will be launched in Sydney and Melbourne in March as the organisation aims to hire 280 more candidates.
Image: Facebook.com/London Ambulance Service NHS Trust