A KEY Hampshire health service is facing a jobs crisis with more than 250 vacancies to fill.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) bosses said they are under extreme pressure to answer calls because of a lack of 260 paramedics.

And the NHS foundation trust is relying on private companies to meet demand, with the need for private ambulances almost doubling in the past year.

Mark Ainsworth-Smith, consultant emergency care practitioner for SCAS, revealed there had been a 25 per cent increase in demand for the trust since 2010, and it was difficult to retain staff because of the high cost of living.

He said: “We have 260 outstanding vacancies for paramedics.

“To meet current demand we need to mobilise basic ambulances. We use third party ambulance providers to cover shortfalls in ambulances and staff.”

Mr Ainsworth-Smith said trainee paramedics now took longer to qualify due to a new degree course taking between two to five years, as opposed to 16 weeks in the past.

Last year private contractors attended nine per cent of call-outs on behalf of SCAS – but this has since increased to 16 per cent.

Unison South East regional organiser Sarah O’Donoghue blamed low pay and not enough internal training for the failure to replace outgoing staff.

Martin Berry, executive officer for the Royal College of Paramedics, said the shortage was a national problem that was “failing” patients with less serious conditions.

He added: “Because they are so good at making decisions and diagnosis they are increasingly being employed in walk-in centres and GP surgeries and for telephone advice services.

“These jobs are sucking paramedics out of the ambulance sector because they are attractive roles and offer 9am-5pm working hours.”

Under the NHS constitution, ambulances have to reach the most seriously ill patients within eight minutes for 75 per cent of calls.

SCAS is meeting that target, dealing with between 76 and 78 per cent of urgent cases within eight minutes.

It is understood the service has 1,280 frontline staff, including 890 clinicians such as paramedics and nurses and 208 ambulances across the region.

A spokesperson for SCAS last night said: “SCAS recognises that demand is rising significantly year-on-year and our recruitment plans are challenged to try to meet the increasing need for more and more paramedics.”

Paramedic salaries start at £21,400, rising to £34,500 for senior positions and team leaders.

Most employers now look for paramedics to have completed three-year university degrees or take a course at an ambulance trust.

Excellent driving skills, good levels of fitness and a complete knowledge of the Highway Code are also required.