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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.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
November 25, 2025
Reached 100 supporters
November 2, 2025
47 Comments
This is the most ridiculous idea. This risks staff welfare by poor food storage conditions, and not everyone can afford to buy meal deals etc on the move and the idea that we can use vending machines and pot noodles etc what sort of health promotion is that. Disgusting and shows how little SCAS care about staff
This also affects students on placement, not receiving the money that full time employed paramedics are received leaves us paying out of pocket for our food. This is an extra expense and cost that could be avoided by us being able to bring in food
Aside from this being detrimental to already low morale, this policy will also dictate eating habits. Many people prepare food for the fridge. Not being able to keep food cold will mean changing what we can eat and will affect those with dietary restrictions especially.
Whilst not adverse to a MB AfB, I wish for it to be my choice to do so! The lack of provision for safe and respectable storage of food has not been addressed despite multiple vehicle updates.
This isn’t being put into place as a welfare issue for crews, this is a money saving scheme that will see more crews finishing late every shift as they’re out of area or miles from base!
This also adversely impacts Neurodisabled members of staff.
This policy does not do what it is intended and in fact can be evidenced to put staff and patients at risk, in addition breaches the protected characteristics under the equality act 2010
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**Please use your full name when signing and share among your SCAS contacts. Using false names undermines the petition and they will be remove**
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.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
November 25, 2025
Reached 100 supporters
November 2, 2025
47 Comments
My welfare and my break I want to be on my own station with people I know And where my food is kept Not go to another station and feel ignored and not know where anything is
This is the most ridiculous idea. This risks staff welfare by poor food storage conditions, and not everyone can afford to buy meal deals etc on the move and the idea that we can use vending machines and pot noodles etc what sort of health promotion is that. Disgusting and shows how little SCAS care about staff
This also affects students on placement, not receiving the money that full time employed paramedics are received leaves us paying out of pocket for our food. This is an extra expense and cost that could be avoided by us being able to bring in food
Aside from this being detrimental to already low morale, this policy will also dictate eating habits. Many people prepare food for the fridge. Not being able to keep food cold will mean changing what we can eat and will affect those with dietary restrictions especially.
Whilst not adverse to a MB AfB, I wish for it to be my choice to do so! The lack of provision for safe and respectable storage of food has not been addressed despite multiple vehicle updates.
This isn’t being put into place as a welfare issue for crews, this is a money saving scheme that will see more crews finishing late every shift as they’re out of area or miles from base!
This also adversely impacts Neurodisabled members of staff.
This policy does not do what it is intended and in fact can be evidenced to put staff and patients at risk, in addition breaches the protected characteristics under the equality act 2010
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My welfare and my break I want to be on my own station with people I know And where my food is kept Not go to another station and feel ignored and not know where anything is