A plan to cut down on break times for crews working long shifts has caused conflict between an ambulance service and union leaders.
Patients wait too long for an ambulance, according to South Western Ambulance Service, and response times need to be improved.
However, one 45-minute break during 10- to 12-hour shifts, according to paramedic and Unison representative Connor Calby, would be harmful to patients.
It "will actually mean they are getting crews that are more exhausted," he said.
The south-west of England has some of the worst 999 patient response times in the nation.
The ambulance service wants to address this by switching its crews from the current one-hour break on day shifts and two 30-minute breaks on night shifts to a single 45-minute break.
SWASFT, the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, claimed the modifications would enable them to respond to more patients more quickly.
However, Mr. Calby, a Bridgwater resident, claimed that union members were "overwhelmingly opposed to the proposals.".
According to him, "the fear is basically that this will lead to things like more traffic collisions because people will be driving more tired.".
"These are vehicles being operated at high speeds by highly skilled drivers who shouldn't be fatigued in emergency situations.
"It seems inappropriate to be doing this right now. Remember that these are people who have spent the last 2.5 years working nonstop for Covid. ".
The priority of the trust, according to a SWASFT spokesperson, is "our people and patients.".
As an employer, "we take our responsibility to ensure that they receive their entitled rest break in a timely manner, and finish their shift on time so that they can get home to their family and friends," they said.
"We strive to balance patient safety with our employees' well-being every day. We are aware that we must enhance our current arrangements in light of the difficult environment we are in," they continued.
