Ambulance workers are on strike in the North East today.
Staff who work for the North East Ambulance Service are among those taking part in the industrial action in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
They are calling for a pay rise closer to the rate of inflation having been offered a flat increase of £1,400 under the NHS Agenda for Change pay structure. Under the offer, most ambulance staff get a rise of 4%, the Department for Health and Social Care says, but the Unite, GMB and Unison trade unions say that is a real terms pay cut, with inflation at 10.7%.
Read more: North East paramedic warns 'really dangerous situation' led to NHS strikes
GMB says real terms pay has fallen against inflation by 17% since 2010.
How much a paramedic gets paid depends on their experience, salary band and the length of time they have been in their current pay grade
How much do paramedics get paid in the North East?
Most newly qualified paramedics, who will have successfully completed a degree in paramedic science, are in the Band 5 of the NHS pay scale.
That means a starting salary of £27,055, rising to £32,934 after four years. In addition, paramedics can earn more through "unsocial hours payments" and overtime.
Paramedics who have been working for two years can rise to become experienced paramedics. They are in Band 6 of the NHS pay scale and earn £33,706 a year, rising to £35,572 after two to five years and £40,588 after five years. They can also get additional pay through working overtime and unsociable hours.
The DHSC adds: "On average, ambulance staff have additional earnings worth around 37% of basic pay, covering unsocial hours, geographical supplements and overtime. This takes total earnings to around £47,000 per person."
Who drives ambulances in the UK?
Ambulance drivers responding to 999 emergencies are usually qualified emergency care assistants, emergency medical technicians or paramedics. It is very unlikely that ambulance drivers will just be driving, they will be directly involved in providing treatment and acre for patients.
How much do emergency medical technicians (EMTs) get paid?
Emergency medical technicians work to support paramedics on a double-crewed ambulance and often drive the ambulances. They in Band 4 of the NHS pay scale.
That means a starting salary of £23,949 rising to £26,282 after three years. Trainees and apprenticeships are paid a percentage of the band 4 rate until they are qualified.
How much do emergency care assistants get paid?
Emergency care assistants work with paramedics as part of the ambulance crew team attending 999 calls. They most often will be the crew member driving the ambulance and will carry out emergency care under the supervision of paramedics.
Emergency care assistants are usually in band 3 or 4 or the NHS pay scheme. Band 3 starting salary is £21,730 rising to £23,177 after two years of experience. Band 4 means a starting salary of £23,949 rising to £26,282 after three years.
How much do call handlers/dispatchers get paid?
Call handlers and emergency dispatchers typically start on Band 3 or Band 4 of the NHS pay scale.
Under Band 3, staff start on £21,730, rising to £23,117 after two years. Band 4 employees start on £32,949, rising to £26,282 after two years.
Team leaders qualify for Band 6 pay and managers get Band 7.
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