London Ambulance Service: Paramedics and staff needed after busiest year on record with 6,000 call outs a day

Around 500 paramedics and 1,000 operational staff, working in control centres and handling 999 calls, are wanted by March 2023.
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The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has launched its “most ambitious recruitment drive” in its history following its busiest year on record, with 2.1million call outs.

According to the latest figures, the LAS took more than 6,000 calls per day on average in 2022 compared to a pre-pandemic average of 5,500.

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The chief executive Daniel Elkeles said there were lots of reasons for the rise in demand, but one of these was “bound to be Covid”.

Now the emergency service wants to recruit more than 1,650 new staff to tackle this rise in demand.

It’s looking to hire around 500 paramedics and 1,000 operational staff, working in control centres and handling 999 calls, by March 2023.

Sadiq Khan opens new paramedic training centre in HounslowSadiq Khan opens new paramedic training centre in Hounslow
Sadiq Khan opens new paramedic training centre in Hounslow

Marking the launch of the recruitment drive on Monday, mayor of London Sadiq Khan visited Hounslow in west London to officially open a brand-new £7 million training centre.

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The Brentside Education Centre features a state of the art ambulance simulation suite, the only one of its kind in use by an ambulance trust.

Speaking at the opening Mr Khan said: “A stronger, bigger London Ambulance Service is integral to supporting the wider NHS and ensuring that all Londoners are safe, healthy and well cared for.

“That is exactly why I’m backing the service’s most ambitious recruitment drive in its history and encouraging Londoners from all backgrounds to apply.

“It’s an opportunity to develop new skills and enter into a fulfilling career, making a difference for Londoners when they need it most.

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“With this new cutting-edge training facility now officially open, there is no better time to join the London Ambulance Service.”

Sadiq Khan with LAS chief executive Daniel Elkeles Sadiq Khan with LAS chief executive Daniel Elkeles
Sadiq Khan with LAS chief executive Daniel Elkeles

Mr Elkeles added: “We are embarking on the most ambitious recruitment programme our service has ever seen, and our fantastic new Brentside Education Centre will play a pivotal role in this plan by training hundreds of new operational recruits to the very highest standard each year.

“The ground-breaking technology and excellent quality of teaching at our Brentside site will help us create a new pipeline of homegrown London talent to fill a variety of operational roles at LAS, both on the frontline and in our control rooms.”

While paramedic Maya Christopher said: “The training here is excellent. The equipment is very high quality so you are learning in a very realistic environment so when you go out on the road, you already know where everything is and how things works.

“This means you are confident when you start treating patients. The job can still be pretty unpredictable, you never know what you’re going to be facing each day – but that’s what I love about it.”