Paramedics praised in report

Staffordshire Ambulance Service has been praised by a health watchdog for the way it looks after its patients.

The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) said community paramedic officers in the area helped to reduce the amount of people with minor injuries being admitted to hospital.

The report, which followed a routine inspection, also praised the community responder scheme, where members of the public were trained to respond to emergency calls in their area.

According to the report some staff do not have proper meal breaks and sometimes no break at all.

Patient care

The report said during busy times, control room staff could be asked to work on the road as paramedics, leaving remaining staff under pressure.

CHI chief executive Peter Homa said despite some areas which needed improvement, Staffordshire Ambulance Service had many good working practices.

"They are patient focused and continually strive to improve patient care and staff learning," he said.

"The trust is innovative in the way it develops services and uses advanced technology."