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Staff Statement on SCAS Meal Break Trial

SCAS has announced a trial whereby staff can be required to take their meal breaks away from base. Under current practice, this is optional.

This change was introduced without consultation or discussion with staff, and we wish to make clear that the unions do not speak for us in this matter.

We believe the proposed trial — if a six-month change of practice coinciding with winter pressures can truly be considered a “trial” — will have several negative effects on staff, including:

• Disproportionate impact on remote stations: Staff at stations located further from hospitals are already more likely to experience late finishes. This issue may be worsened if crews are required to take breaks away from base, as this could increase the likelihood of being deployed further from their home station.
• Damage to wellbeing: Staff will be forced to rely on potentially unhealthy “fast food” options, with no provision for appropriate food storage.
• Loss of team cohesion: Taking breaks away from base reduces opportunities for staff to see familiar colleagues, share informal debriefs, and maintain the sense of team support that is vital to wellbeing.
• Reduced quality of rest: Breaks taken at unfamiliar or less comfortable locations make it harder for staff to disengage fully, access their possessions, or enjoy a genuine period of rest and recovery.

We, the undersigned, strongly oppose this change. We believe it poses a significant risk to staff welfare and wellbeing.

We reject any assertion that we have been consulted on or have agreed to this change, and we do not feel that the unions have represented our interests in this matter.