A paramedic has told how the crisis-hit service is leaving staff in tears and having a massive impact on their mental health.

The staff member, based in Falkirk and who wished to remain anonymous, said the Scottish Ambulance Service is “broken” and may be “beyond fixable” with things expected to get even worse as winter approaches.

It’s claimed staff are being asked to work two or sometimes even three hours past their shift time, and not being given breaks on 15-hour days due to the volume of stacked calls waiting to be responded to.

Working conditions are said to be so bad that it’s causing many to suffer insomnia and mild panic attacks.

The paramedic said: “I wouldn’t class myself as a fresh face or an old face to the Scottish Ambulance Service, but I have been here long enough to say that I’ve never experienced working conditions like it.