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One In Four Frontline Isle Of Wight Ambulance Staff Off Work

One in four frontline ambulance staff on the Isle of Wight are currently off sick or self-isolating.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has confirmed the news, although it says its 'abstraction rate' fluctuates on a day to day basis.

The abstraction rate accounts for staff who may be off sick, shielding, self-isolating or who have tested positive for COVID-19.

As of today (Friday), the trust says 25% of frontline ambulance staff, including paramedics and ambulance drivers, are not at work.

It comes 24 hours after it was announced that Island firefighters would drive ambulances where necessary.

The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service is facing increasing strain due to the coronavirus pandemic - and has seen demand increase by 40% compared with last year. 

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has confirmed that support from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service began yesterday (Thursday).

Speaking after yesterday's announcement, Isle of Wight council leader Cllr Dave Stewart said:

“The rising number of COVID-19 cases on the Island has pushed our emergency services to this move.

“Plans to undertake these activities are not new; they are well tested and trained for. We didn’t ever want to be in a position where they were necessary; but that’s where we find ourselves now."

The Isle of Wight's rolling average coronavirus rate has risen to the fourth highest in the UK.

Earlier, Isle of Wight Radio revealed how the Island has been chosen for a 'long covid' centre.

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