Former paramedics have been urged to consider returning to work as West Midlands Ambulance Service struggles to deal with the demand of rising Covid-19 cases.

The service, which launched a similar appeal in March 2020, is looking for ambulance and control room staff who have recently retired to return to work.

WMAS said it has recently recruited hundreds of additional control rooms and ambulance personnel, but the "challenging" effects of rising infection rates mean more staff are needed.

In Kenilworth alone Covid-19 infection rates more than doubled during December.

The trust's chief executive said anyone who has retired in the past two years should think about coming back to WMAS.

"We are once again, looking for any staff who retired within the last two years or are working in the private sector for the likes of events medical companies who would like to come back into the NHS family to get in touch," said chief exec Anthony Marsh.

"Over the last couple of years, we know that several staff have retired from our service after giving many years of outstanding care to the public.

"For those who have retired, I know how much the time you spent with us meant to you; many of you have told me that when we have spoken. I wouldn't ask you to re-join if I didn't think it was the right thing for the public of the West Midlands and our patients."

The call comes just weeks after Warwickshire County Council demanded WMAS drew up an action plan to improve care for Warwickshire residents.

But councillors did decide against pushing for a standalone ambulance service for the county.

(Image by Makizox via Wikimedia commons)