FOI 26-366 Tech to Para Information
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 26-366 Tech to Para Information
- Request Date
- 13 Aug 2026
- Response Date
- 11 Oct 2026
- Information Requested
1. We would like to request figures on the current staffing levels across the service and a breakdown of
their roles to from ACA, Technicians, Paramedics and Advanced Paramedics and where possible,
the number of paramedics who have progressed previously with an internal route.
2. We would like to request the results of the previous survey that was carried out approximately four
years ago that was done to ascertain the number of technicians who would like the opportunity to
progress internally as paramedics.
3. We have been made aware that an internal route was offered to the service provided by UWS and
specifically member of faculty to which we understand was quickly turned down, we
request to see all information regarding this offer including but not limited to the layout of the course
and how this would be achieved, any meeting outcomes that may have taken place and a reason for
any decisions that were made. At this current time we do not have a specific date as to when this
took place.- Response
Q1 – As of the 08/09/2026 the Scottish Ambulance Service workforce figures requested are:
Role
Headcount
Whole Time Equivalent (WTE)
Ambulance Care Assistant (ACA)
850
773.0
Technician
1,419
1,339.5
Newly Qualified Paramedic
232
228.5
Ambulance Paramedic
2,026
1,906.3
Advanced Paramedic
131
127.3
Please note that these figures represent a snapshot in time and may fluctuate due to recruitment, retirements, resignations, role changes and other workforce movements.
In relation to the number of Paramedics who have progressed through an internal route, the Scottish Ambulance Service does not hold this information in a way that allows us to report on the current paramedics that have progressed through internal routes. Producing this information would require the analysis and matching of historical training, qualification and workforce records and would result in the creation of new information.
Under section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, the Scottish Ambulance Service therefore gives notice that it does not hold the requested information.
Under advice and assistance, information of the total number of Technicians that progressed to Paramedic has previously been given through FOI and is available on the Scottish Ambulance Service website - FOI 26-155 Tech to Para Pathways. I have confirmed that there are no updated figures to be provided as internal conversions ceased.
Q2 - In January 2024, the Scottish Ambulance Service undertook a staff engagement survey to assess interest in a potential Ambulance Technician to Registered Paramedic education transition pathway. A total of 927 responses were received.
The survey found that:
- 86% of respondents indicated that they would be interested in undertaking such a pathway;
- 9% indicated that they may be interested; and
- 5% indicated that they were not interested.
A copy of the survey findings is attached.
Q3 - I understand that representatives of the Scottish Ambulance Service and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have, on occasion, discussed opportunities relating to Technician to Paramedic progression routes as part of wider professional engagement and workforce discussions. However, we have not identified any documentation, course proposals, presentations, meeting minutes, recordings or other recorded information relating to a specific offer from UWS or a specific proposal that was considered by the Scottish Ambulance Service.
We have also established that discussions took place on 13 March 2025 between representatives of the Scottish Ambulance Service and UWS regarding ideas and opportunities associated with an "Earn as You Learn" Technician to Paramedic route. These discussions took place verbally and no documents were shared, recordings made or formal meeting notes produced.
As a result, we have not identified any recorded information that would enable us to provide the course layout, meeting outcomes, or recorded reasons for any decisions relating to a specific proposal.
- Response Documents
