Paramedic students sign up for frontline coronavirus fight

Almost 100 paramedic students have signed up in fight against coronavirus.

The 95 Glasgow Caledonian University students will begin work with the Scottish Ambulance Service on Monday.

The third-year students will be based at the new NHS Louisa Jordan makeshift hospital at the Glasgow SEC, which is expected to open later this month.

A total of 32 first-year and 35 second-year students will be employed as ambulance care assistants or technicians.

BSc Paramedic Science programme lead Samantha Paterson, from the university’s School of Health and Life Science College of Paramedics, said: “We are very proud that 70% of our students across all years are going into employment with the Scottish Ambulance Service to assist transport provision at the NHS Louisa Jordan site from next week.

“We work very closely with the Scottish Ambulance Service and much of the training is very hands-on so they are well prepared for the workplace.

“For all the students, it has been a massive upheaval for them and a rapid rate of change, so thank you to all of them for their patience and bearing with us.

“A message for those students going into employment is just ‘stay safe, learn lots and we will see you in September or when you qualify’.

“For those who can’t go into employment because of family commitments, please don’t worry, just keep going.

“We absolutely value your commitment and contribution to the programme at this time as well. We are still here for all of you.”

The Scottish Ambulance Service thanked the students for their support.

Pauline Howie, chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “We are very thankful for the student paramedics offering their support in these challenging times.

“This is an unprecedented situation and the support we have received right across the country has been amazing. If we all work together we can manage the impact of this virus in Scotland.”