Paramedic's problems show Service's recovery has a human cost - Randerson.

1.02.00pm GMT Mon 17th Dec 2007

The Welsh Ambulance Service has faced many problems in recent months.

Following the news that ambulance crews in South East Wales will not work overtime during the coming weeks, Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Jenny Randerson has called on the Government to do more to support the workforce.

The unofficial dispute is expected to affect Cardiff and the Vale Of Glamorgan after it emerged that Ambulance Staff have been relied upon to work overtime to keep the service running.

Jenny Randerson said: "When I have spoken with Paramedics and staff they have told me that the service is completely reliant upon overtime working and staff being unable to even take statutory holidays. We all know how incredibly hard ambulance staff have been working over recent months to transform the service and implement the modernisation plan.

"It is clear that the working conditions are unsustainable and the staff feel that they are unable to carry on under these conditions in the long term. The Trust needs to find a way very quickly of easing the time pressures on the staff while continuing to improve the service. The good will of staff to deal with the problems of the service can only carry improvements so far."

Notes:

The unofficial action could see hundreds of staff in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan refuse to work overtime over the next four weeks.

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