A PARAMEDIC has opened up about the reality of his job saying “hour to hour I do not know what is coming next".

Stephen Lee works as an air crew paramedic on the fixed wing aircraft based at Glasgow Airport.

Now he is opening up about his career as the Scottish Ambulance Service's air ambulance celebrates 90 years of providing vital life-saving services to some of Scotland’s most remote and rural locations this week.

He described the air ambulance network as a “vital part” of the NHS network, and added: “Without this service remote and rural communities would not have access to the full range of hospital services.

“Myself and my colleagues provide that vital link in the service chain to ensure the health of the nation.

“Without this link, some remote and rural communities might not be able to continue, as the specialist care is centralised.

"It's important that we move people to the centres for this care to enable remote and rural communities to grow and continue to function.”

He said he attends routine transfers for patients attending clinics and planned hospital admissions, emergencies where the patient has been stabilised but require specialist care in another hospital, and critical care retrievals with the adult, paediatric and neonatal teams.

He added: “My duties are to ensure the equipment in the aircraft is serviceable, to liaise with the pilots regarding any aviation problems.

"I also ensure the safe loading of patients, equipment and the general safety of the cabin when in flight.”

The thing he enjoys the most about this role is the variety from day to day, saying “hour to hour I do not know what is coming next".

Stephen explained: “It could be a maternity job from the islands or a repatriation to Northern Ireland, the work is challenging but very rewarding – I think it’s the best job in the service.

"I also enjoy meeting the rural and remote crews who do a difficult job in challenging circumstances.

“I’m also flying across some of the most beautiful countryside every day while going to work, and I do enjoy working with the pilots, who are dedicated to what we do as a team.

"The highlights working as an air crew paramedic are many, some to do with things I have seen while flying such as flying into Edinburgh and seeing the Three Bridges across the Forth or flying up the Tay to land in Perth.”