Figures have revealed a scandal in recruitment to the Welsh Ambulance Service this year, despite the critical state of ambulance services and response times in Wales.

According to the data, out of the 67 paramedic graduates in Wales this year, only twenty will be hired. This is despite the Welsh Ambulance Service requesting 86 Paramedics to be trained and paid for through Welsh Government funding.

The scandal was revealed by Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader & Mid and West Wales Senedd Member Jane Dodds, acting on reports from local residents and writing to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, for confirmation.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling on the Welsh Labour Government to urgently intervene and create more posts so as to prevent the time and money spent training much-needed qualified Paramedics from being wasted.

According to the latest data, 51% of red calls, the most life-threatening incidents, are not being met within the Welsh Government’s target times. Meanwhile, 33% of amber calls, which include conditions like heart attacks and strokes, are taking longer than an hour to respond to.

Commenting on the revelation, Senedd Candidate for Ceredigion Penfro (Ceredigion & Pembrokshire) Sandra Jervis said: “With record response times across Wales, the Welsh Government have an opportunity here to get more trained Paramedics responding to incidents. We cannot afford to lose these highly skilled professionals, especially not at a time when the NHS is under this much pressure.”

“It is shocking, despite funding 86 Paramedic Students to be trained, that less than half will be recruited. At a time when Paramedics are desperately needed to help improve Ambulance response times, that so few are to be hired is a scandal.”

“The Welsh Government should now step in and ensure that these trained and qualified Paramedics are hired to relieve the strain on the Welsh Ambulance Service.”

Welsh Lib Dem Leader and Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds said, added: “The NHS is our top Priority as Welsh Liberal Democrats. Having already paid for the training, it is a no-brainer that the Welsh Government should seize this opportunity to give Paramedics more support and resources across Wales.

“It is vital that the Welsh Government act with urgency before these Paramedics are lost to NHS Wales.”