SCOTLAND could face a critical shortage of paramedics in future if students in the profession are not given the same bursaries as those training to become nurses and midwives, unions and campaigners warned today.

Unison Scotland called on the SNP government to provide student paramedics with equal funding following concerns about the economic burden on individuals. 

A recent survey by the Pay Student Paramedics Campaign showed that more than eight in 10 were experiencing burnout, with more than half saying they were likely to leave their course due to financial pressures.