I am the partner of a paramedic. I have witnessed firsthand the immense dedication of my wife and countless other paramedics. But, on the other hand, I’ve also seen the emotional strain that they endure daily, and the inevitable physical toll their job takes. For nearly a decade, my wife has been on the front lines, providing life-saving help to people experiencing the worst day of their lives. And let’s not forget the unwavering dedication she and her colleagues demonstrated during the biggest health crisis we’ve faced in decades – Covid.
However, paramedics don’t only respond to medical emergencies. They are increasingly becoming the first responders to the UK’s ever-growing mental health crisis. All too often, my wife and her colleagues spend hours with patients neglected by a broken system. When paramedics attend to individuals in distress, they become the first line of support, despite lacking the necessary resources or training.
Additionally, paramedics are forced to deal with the growing pressures within the NHS. They may spend hours every shift waiting in overcrowded A&E departments, unable to transfer patients due to the lack of available beds.
A personal cost: the impact on our family
Despite their critical role, paramedics are still not officially recognised as part of the emergency services in the same way as the police or fire services. This injustice must be addressed – not just for my wife’s sake, but for all paramedics and technicians who work tirelessly to protect and serve our communities.
My wife’s career as a paramedic is something I am incredibly proud of; not only because it was her childhood dream, but because she achieved it as an immigrant to this country, studying while working full-time. Yet, the physical and emotional toll of her job is undeniable.
Sleepless nights after dealing with traumatic incidents, emotionally draining hours with patients, and the constant stress of life-or-death decisions are all too familiar to paramedics across the UK. Yet, despite this immense pressure, they are expected to work until they are in their late 50s or even 60s – up to a decade longer than police officers and firefighters who are allowed to retire at 55 due to the intensity of their jobs.
This discrepancy is not just unfair; it is damaging to paramedics’ well-being and compromises patient care. The long shifts, emotional trauma, and physical risks all take a real toll, and it’s high time they received the recognition they deserve.
The case for recognition: paramedics vs police and fire services
When compared to police officers and firefighters, the case for recognising paramedics as an emergency service is clear. All three professions are physically demanding, high-stress, and require an immense level of dedication. Yet paramedics are not given the same rights or retirement benefits as those in the police and fire services.
- According to the Health and Safety Executive, paramedics experience significantly higher rates of musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., back pain) than workers in other sectors, with around 70% reporting chronic pain.
- One in 10 paramedics suffers from PTSD – a much higher rate than the general population – due to their regular exposure to traumatic events.
- Paramedics regularly work gruelling 12-hour shifts, often without breaks, responding to life-or-death situations. They face the same fatigue and stress levels as police officers and firefighters who are granted the right to retire at 55. Why should paramedics be treated differently?
The mental health and A&E crisis crises
It often goes unnoticed that paramedics are increasingly called upon to manage mental health crises. They often are the first point of contact for patients experiencing suicidal thoughts, psychosis, and other severe mental health crises, yet they do not receive specialist mental health training and support.
The College of Paramedics and Ambulance Staff Support reports that one in three calls paramedics attend is related to mental health issues. They play a critical role in providing support and care to individuals in crisis, yet they often lack a mental health crisis team to help them, leading to further strain on paramedics. The bottom line for patients is longer waiting times and worse outcomes.
The UK’s ongoing A&E crisis further worsens the situation. Overcrowded hospitals mean paramedics spend hours waiting with patients, unable to offload them due to lack of available beds. According to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, one in five ambulances is delayed in offloading patients. These delays are becoming increasingly common, taking their toll on paramedics already working under incredibly demanding conditions. Over 70% of paramedics report suffering from burnout from extended hours in A&E.
The need for union support
As a senior trade union officer, I know how crucial unions are in improving working conditions, protecting workers’ rights, and advocating for fairness. While GMB and Unison have supported paramedics, it’s time for them to take stronger action to ensure that they are officially recognised as an emergency service with all the associated rights and benefits.
We must fight for:
- Official recognition of paramedics as emergency service workers, including the right to early retirement like police officers and firefighters.
- Increased access to mental health support including counselling, therapy, and training.
- Greater funding to ensure paramedics are properly equipped and supported.
- Fairer retirement and pension benefits allowing paramedics to retire with dignity, like other emergency services workers.
A call to action: stand with paramedics
Now is the time to act. Paramedics risk their health, well-being, and personal lives to keep us safe. They should be recognised for the critical role they play in society. They deserve the same retirement benefits, mental health support, and protections as police officers and firefighters.
I am calling on unions like GMB and Unison, as well as the public, to support paramedics and demand that they are officially recognised as an emergency service. Let’s work together for a fairer, more equitable future for paramedics and the communities they serve.
