More than 400,000 paramedic hours lost due to mental ill health

More than 400,000 hours of paramedic staff time have been lost due to mental health absences since 2019, according to research from the Scottish Lib Dems.

Freedom of information data showed a 61% increase in sickness hours due to anxiety, stress or depression between 2019 and 2024.

In total, 404,616 sickness hours were recorded over the period, the equivalent of 92 years.

The Lib Dems said SNP mismanagement has made it harder for people to access treatment.

Party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Paramedics have been pushed to breaking point. It’s leading to a huge levels of staff absences, making it tougher for people to get the life-saving treatment they need.

“Under the SNP, nightmarish waits for ambulances have become the norm.

“Ministers have no idea how to ease those waits, depriving our hardworking first responders of the support they need.”

He said the Lib Dems had secured millions for social care and local healthcare.

The party supported the SNP’s Budget which passed its final vote in Holyrood in February.

Cole-Hamilton added: “After so long in charge, it is clear that the SNP lack the creativity and the understanding to fix the crisis in our health service.

“Ultimately, delivering for staff, patients and the wider NHS is going to require a change of government.”

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “The health and wellbeing of our staff is an absolute priority, and we have introduced new initiatives as part of our Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

“We recognise the impact of current system pressures on our staff including extended hospital handover delays. These delays understandably cause frustration as they are unable to get back out on the road to treat others.

“We continue to work with health boards across the country to address these system pressures and we remain thankful to all our staff for the incredible job they do often in very difficult circumstances.”