NEW recruits have taken to the road to help fill paramedic vacancies in the east.

Nine paramedics and an emergency technician took part in a passing out ceremony and will now be saving lives, including in Essex.

Course leader Gideon Chilton said: “The work ethic of the participants, combined with the diversity of their previous experiences meant that everyone had a point of view to bring to the table.

“The enthusiasm displayed by everyone was of the highest standard and each of them deserves credit for the encouragement and support that they gave to each other.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them all and wish them all the best in their careers with the Trust.”

The two week course, on top of paramedic training, gets them ready for life at the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

The ambulance service is attempting to recruit hundreds more paramedics to improve response times and services.

As well as direct entry programmes such as these there is ongoing paramedic recruitment with 350 signed up for courses out of 3,500 applications this year.