Letter: Under-pressure paramedics are doing a remarkable job

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the paramedics who came to my assistance 'in my hour of need' and looked after me in the ambulance and in the corridor queue at a local accident and emergency hospital.

I am a grandmother with children and grandchildren living in Shropshire. I was appalled and concerned to hear how paramedics work long shifts, sometimes 12 hours or more, driving distances up to and over 200 miles per shift. I was informed that ambulance crews are routinely being taken out of Shropshire to meet the demands in the West Midlands, Wales and numerous counties beyond the borders day and night to ensure patients get the correct treatment they need under pressure and to provide care to what appears to be the 'greater' communities other than Shropshire.

I was horrified to hear a voice from the 'walkie talkies' asking for ambulance crews because no one was available which gave me grave concerns that if any of my family or friends require an ambulance is there going to be one available, especially if they are unavailable due to waiting times and delays at the local hospitals or meeting demands out of Shropshire?

I would like to feel confident that if I rang 999 I wouldn't be left waiting for an experienced ambulance crew.

As a proud Salopian I would like to see a resolution; firstly, get out of the blame game with the hospitals, and secondly, one that would benefit all communities living in Shropshire and not priority standby points such as Telford – I live in Shrewsbury as do many others!

I am a retired grandmother who will endeavour to keep a watchful eye on the events stated in my letter through my family and friends.

Again, my thoughts and prayers go to the welfare and courage of the paramedics who under such pressure still do a remarkable job!

An anonymous grandmother

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