UK ambulance service poaches Kiwi paramedics

File photo / NZ Herald

New Zealand paramedics are being poached by Britain's busiest ambulance service.

Interviews were held in Auckland on Friday and Saturday for paramedics shortlisted for positions with the London Ambulance Service.

Employees at the country's leading ambulance service, St John, had told the New Zealand Herald earlier this year there was low morale within the service -- with staff sometimes working 13-hour shifts with no meal breaks.

However, St John's new chief executive Peter Bradley -- the former head of London Ambulance Service -- had secured funding last month for 158 additional frontline ambulance staff.

London Ambulance Service director of operations Jason Killens said in a statement: "We have a national shortage of paramedics in the UK and are looking to recruit here because the skills and training of New Zealand paramedics closely match those in the UK.

"We've already heard from some fantastic candidates looking for an opportunity for a clinical career in London and we have a lot to offer."

ABC News reported the London Ambulance Service was interviewing more than 200 candidates in five cities across Australia and New Zealand.

The service offered support and benefits for New Zealand staff moving over, including assistance with relocation and visa costs.

St John's acting operations director Derek Liefting said they were aware of the London Ambulance Service's recruitment drive.

"Our paramedics are highly skilled so it's understandable that they are in demand internationally," he said.

"For paramedics looking to work and travel this provides a good opportunity.

"It goes both ways -- just as many paramedics from the UK are coming out to New Zealand for work opportunities and lifestyle choice."

He said St John was looking within New Zealand and abroad to fill the 158 new positions and close ties with tertiary providers would help deal with attrition rates.