More than 100 Sydney patients left waiting for four available ambulances this week, union says

Australian Paramedics Association says demand dramatically outstripping availability as it announces month-long industrial action over staff shortages

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More than 100 Sydney patients were left waiting this week for just four available ambulances, the New South Wales paramedic union has said as it announced month-long industrial action in protest at widespread staff shortages.

On Tuesday status three" - an alert that demand is outstripping availability, with ambulance managers and educators called in - was declared in the city, according to the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW). Eight days earlier it was declared with just one ambulance free and 104 patients waiting.

35% of paramedics reported attending to a patient who was negatively impacted by extended response times;

60% of paramedics reported completing shifts of 15 hours or longer;

80% of paramedics reported feeling too fatigued to drive home safely, with 28% saying this happened often".