The London Ambulance Service is waving an enticing carrot in front of the noses of Aussie paramedics in Melbourne where their pay dispute with the Victorian government continues.
Australia runs the real risk of losing some of its most qualified and experienced paramedics to the UK as the London Ambulance Services recruit new members while disgruntled paramedics remain locked in pay battles.
Speaking to 774 ABC Melbourne’s Red Symons, London Ambulance Service’s Director of Operations, Jason Killens said, “We’ve got opportunities for paramedics right across London working on our ambulances, on our cars, on our motorbikes, on our pedal cycles, potentially on our helicopters too.”
Mr Killens would not comment on the longstanding pay dispute but did say that Aussie paramedics are excellent and that the Australian university degree delivered paramedics with brilliant clinical skills.
Mr Killens said the London positions offer Australian paramedics the chance to work “in the world’s biggest and busiest ambulance service”.
London Ambulance Service employs 4,500 frontline staff at 70 ambulance stations across the city.
Killens said that successful candidates would be offered a competitive salary and additional training.
“There’s a potential for some financial relocation support too… and support with their visa application if that’s appropriate and necessary,” Killens added.
The London Ambulance Service plans to recruit more than 200 candidates from five cities across Australia and New Zealand and will include both experienced paramedics as well as newly qualified ones.
