EXCLUSIVE: Paramedics recruited from Eastern Europe begin training

Paramedics recruited from Eastern Europe by South Western Ambulance Service have begun their practical training.

The 17 recruits have been working at a specialist centre in Gloucester, acting out different scenarios to test their medical knowledge.

Vacancies at the Trust have fallen by almost a quarter since the recruitment drive in Prague in May.

Student paramedic Petra Hldbilova worked as a paramedic in the Czech Republic before being recruited by SWAST. She says working in the UK is very different.

In May the Trust had concerns over recruitment levels among paramedics. Now its vacancy rate is down a quarter:

South Western Ambulance Service says it has a lot riding on the pilot.

Our health correspondent Katie Rowlett has been following the progress of the first few recruits - and has this exclusive report.