Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Experiences Persistent Weekend Staffing Shortages

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has been grappling with persistent staffing deficits on Saturday nights, which represent one of the busiest periods for emergency services. A freedom of information request, submitted by BBC News NI, indicates that throughout the year leading up to August, there was no Saturday night when Northern Ireland operated with a complete roster of emergency ambulance crews. The service informed BBC News NI that it typically requires 52 crews on a “typical Saturday,” yet on three separate occasions, only 36 were available. NIAS stated that over 40 new paramedics have been recruited to alleviate staffing challenges. It also mentioned having “a number of contingencies” in place, including the utilization of private and voluntary services such as St John’s Ambulance. Ambulances in Northern Ireland are assigned by regional division, but crews possess the flexibility to be redirected to respond to calls in other areas. NIAS supplied figures to BBC News NI. Roddy Lynch, a Unison representative, explained that when urban areas face understaffing, crews initially scheduled to cover rural areas are frequently redirected to handle emergencies, thereby leaving residents outside cities with fewer ambulances. Mr. Lynch, who has worked for the ambulance service for 29 years, noted that demand increases annually. However, he observed that the number of ambulances available to the health service has not increased during his tenure. He asserted, “The ambulance service has been chronically underfunded for years, with budgets failing to keep pace with increased calls and rising demand.” Mr. Lynch added that this situation can place a burden on staff, who are often requested to work overtime to cover shortfalls. He commented, “Ambulance crews are doing an incredibly physically and emotionally demanding job on the front lines. But the workforce is also overstretched; they’re struggling to get the necessary rest periods or to finish their shifts on time.” The heavy workload frequently leads to “burnout or sickness-related absences,” he stated. NIAS indicated that several factors can influence the availability of crews, including scheduled leave and sickness. Where vacancies cannot be filled by NIAS staff, the organization confirmed it has contingency planning in place, which involves reassigning non-emergency staff and crews. In a statement, NIAS highlighted the impact of unnecessary callouts, urging the public to “consider other options before dialling 999 to ensure that ambulances are available to respond to life-threatening emergencies.” The statement further clarified, “NIAS will prioritise calls based on clinical need to ensure that those whose need is most urgent receive the fastest response.” It reiterated, “We would also ask the public to consider other options before dialling 999 to ensure that ambulances are available to respond to life-threatening emergencies.” The Department of Health announced its collaboration with NIAS on a “workforce plan for the future,” describing the current situation as a “highly challenging financial environment.” The department also confirmed that it had provided funding for the recruitment of the initial group of newly qualified paramedics and for the establishment of an integrated critical hub designed to triage 999 calls. It stated, “Forty-one newly qualified paramedics are now in post, which will support ambulance rotas.” Dianne Dodds, a DUP MLA and member of Stormont’s health committee, characterized the staff shortages within the ambulance service as “the symptom of a much wider problem across the Health Service.” She elaborated, “Delays in discharges in hospitals feed back into emergency departments, which can often see patients waiting for long periods in ambulances.” She further commented, “They face those stresses alongside disgraceful attacks witnessed on staff.” Mark Cochrane, the Assistant Director of the service, had previously informed BBC News NI of “extreme pressure in the system,” noting “lots of patients waiting for very prolonged periods of time for ambulances.” Earlier this year, NIAS attributed its failure to meet response time targets throughout 2023 to inadequate staffing levels. Additionally, the service issued an apology in September after a police officer, who had been dismounted from his bicycle in east Belfast, endured a wait of over two hours “lying on the ground” before an ambulance reached him.