Paramedics protest at Parliament as regional recruitment effort fails

The ambulance union is today releasing evidence that a government plan to recruit 100 extra paramedics for regional Victoria is failing, exacerbating ambulance delays for critically ill patients.

In January this year the ambulance service announced it would recruit 100 extra paramedics to reduce fatigue and excessive overtime.

However an Ambulance Victoria document reveals that so far just 22 positions have been filled.

The news is further confirmation that paramedics’ pay and conditions are inadequate and demonstrates why the State Government must urgently resolve ambos’ pay negotiations if it is to meet its statewide recruitment target of 358 extra paramedics.

Paramedics will confront MPs at regional sittings of State Parliament in Churchill and Lakes Entrance this morning to demand urgent action on a new pay deal, including fair wages and 10 hour rest breaks between shifts to address fatigue.

Ambulance Employees Australia State Secretary Steve McGhie said regional Victorians are paying the price for Premier Brumby’s refusal to provide fair wages and safe working conditions for paramedics.

“Almost every day we hear fresh stories about ambulance delays for critically ill patients because of understaffing.”

"Meanwhile serving paramedics are working dangerous amounts of overtime to try and prop up the system.

“Paramedics we surveyed said they’ve fallen asleep driving and made mistakes because of their long hours and workload. They average six hours sleep a night, and often less than that.”

“It’s no surprise the Government hasn’t been able to recruit enough ambos. Unless ambos get fair wages and fatigue is dealt with, who will want to do this job?”

“We’re also in danger of losing the vast skills and experience of older ambos. They are quite fed up with how they’re being treated by this government.”

“There’s been six months of pay negotiations, without any progress. It’s time this government got serious.”

Paramedics are asking the Victorian public to sign an online petition in support of 10 hour rest breaks and fair wages at www.responsetime.org.au