AMBULANCE chiefs last night confirmed that they were to reduce the number of paramedics on night-time emergency helicopter flights, raising the possibility that members of the public could be asked to help lift badly injured victims into air ambulances.

Until recently, two paramedics have been used on night-time 999 flights. Union leaders are currently fighting plans proposed by the Scottish Ambulance Service to put just one paramedic on the flights.

Paramedics argue that two people are needed to carry a stretcher and that reducing the number to one would mean that members of the public may have to be asked for assistance.

Dr Jean Turner, chief executive of the Scotland Patients' Association, last night lent her support to the paramedics. She was reported as saying: "If a two-strong team is required during the day it should be exactly the same at night."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service said last night: "Air operations in Inverness have been conducted with one paramedic during the night for over a year without issue.

"There will be no change for the existing nine air staff in Inverness because two existing vacancies will not be filled."