TEA and coffee for paramedics cost South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) more than £50,000 last year.

In 2016 SCAS spent £56,850.37 on teabags, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits, amongst other hot drinks equipment, a freedom of information request has revealed. 

With 3,750 permanent employees and bank staff, the service forked out 6p on beverages and snacks per employee, per working day.

In other terms, £16 was spent last year fuelling paramedics for every square mile of the area SCAS covers, which includes Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire. 

A SCAS spokesperson said: “Given that large numbers of our staff undertake shift work, sometimes do 12+ hours in a shift due to unforeseen circumstances, help non-emergency patients get to vital, lifesaving treatment such as chemotherapy or dialysis and have to deal with traumatic incidents either over the phone or in person, the Trust feels that providing tea and coffee to staff helps demonstrate the gratitude that we, and the public, have for their vital roles.”