London Ambulance Service hires 180 paramedics from Australia and New Zealand because of UK shortage

. Credit: .

London's ambulance service has been forced to hire 180 paramedics from Australia and New Zealand because of a shortage in the UK.

Senior managers interviewed 250 candidates in cities including Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne during a recruitment drive in September.

The new paramedics are expected to begin a 'conversion course' in London in January before joining the front line of the 999 service.

LAS has offered to pay for visa applications and relocation costs.