West Midlands Ambulance service to recruit student paramedics

The trust said it was looking to bolster front-line staffing

West Midlands Ambulance Service is hoping to recruit almost 500 student paramedics.

The organisation, the first of its kind in the country to be rated outstanding by inspectors, has faced increasing pressure in recent months.

One boss warned it could face collapse in the summer unless ambulance delays outside hospitals were reduced.

Amid record delays, it said it wanted to hire 484 people across the region.

Recruitment manager Louise Jones said it was looking to "further bolster our front-line staffing levels across the whole of our region" and was looking to recruit across Birmingham; the Black Country; Coventry; Warwickshire; Herefordshire; Shropshire; Worcestershire; and Staffordshire.

For the first time, she said, the trust would also be accepting applications to the student paramedic programme from individuals awaiting A-level or other Level 3 results.

Recruitment events will be held at Shrewsbury Town FC's stadium, in Shropshire, on 15 June between 18:00 and 20:00 BST and at Himley Hall Armed Forces Day, in Dudley, on 26 June between 11:00 and 17:00.