Paramedics protested at community cabinet to demand urgent action on understaffing

Paramedics protested at the government’s community cabinet in Horsham today to demand urgent action on understaffing that causes dangerous delays for critically ill patients.

Official documents released by the ambulance union last week showed in Horsham, only two of the promised six new recruit positions have been filled, leaving understaffed local ambos to cover shifts. State wide the government has filled 22 of the 100 new recruit positions promised to regional Victoria in January this year.

Ambulance Employees Australia State Secretary Steve McGhie said regional people’s safety was being put at risk by Premier Brumby’s refusal to provide fair wages and safe working conditions for ambos.

“It’s no surprise they haven’t be able to recruit enough ambos, unless they get fair wages and fatigue and other issues are dealt with, who would want to do the job?”

“But it’s not just getting new recruits that’s a problem, it’s holding onto the vastly skilled and experienced ambos we’ve got at the moment.”

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

“Paramedics are working dangerously long overtime hours to prop up the system.”
Official documents released under the Freedom of Information act show paramedics in regional areas do 11 weeks overtime a year.

Mr McGhie said it was crucial for patient safety that the government extended minimum rest breaks from eight to ten hours.

“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.”

“Ambos simply want to make sure they can get enough sleep so they’re safe to drive and do their jobs properly. It seems like a no-brainer, but the government has rejected it. It’s bizarre.”

Seventy-five percent of paramedics who participated in a recent union survey said they have been so exhausted by their workload and long hours they have made errors.

Today’s action follows protests at regional sittings of State Parliament in Churchill and Lakes Entrance last week.

“We’ve been negotiating for six months and made no progress. It’s time this government got serious.”