Ambos rollup with a coffin call

Bendigo Advertiser

MORE than 100 paramedics descended on State Parliament yesterday to deliver a coffin full of 5000 postcards - demanding the government fix what they describe as the “ambulance service crisis’’.

Ambulance Employees Australia State Secretary Steve McGhie said Ambulance Victoria was struggling to fill the 358 new positions promised state-wide, because it had failed to address paramedic concerns.

“It is time the government takes responsibility for this crisis and addresses community concerns,’’ he said.

“Unless ambos get fair wages and fatigue is dealt with, who will want to do this job?’’ The AEA said a report tabled in Parliament a fortnight ago showed Melbourne response times had increased from 15 minutes to 16.5 minutes for 90 per cent of ambulances, and from 25 to 26 minutes in rural Victoria.

Mr McGhie said a Melbourne coroner had heard last week how a slow response caused by a lack of paramedics and ambulance services may have contributed to the death of an 11-year-old boy who died of an asthma attack.

He also said Victorians were paying the price, with paramedics pushing themselves to the limit.

“Paramedics we surveyed said they’ve fallen asleep driving and made mistakes because of their long hours and excessive workload. They average only six hours sleep a night.’’

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