NHS ambulance staff in England quitting for less stressful, better paid jobs

High ambulance staff turnover makes it harder to increase staff levels, diluting the effect of recruitment drives. Photograph: May James/Reuters

NHS ambulance trusts in England are struggling with high staff turnover as key workers leave the crisis-hit service for less stressful or better paid work, according to figures obtained by the Observer.

Data sourced under the Freedom of Information Act reveals the backdrop to recent ambulance strikes, with sickness rates above pre-pandemic levels and low levels of staff retention. Ambulance services in southern England are particularly struggling. Staff turnover rates at South Central ambulance service (SCAS) are soaring at 20% – meaning one in five staff members leave over the course of a year.