‘Not qualified’: Why patient transport officers have been behind the wheel of ambulances

The union has slammed a paramedic staffing situation as dangerous, saying transport officers joining paramedics on jobs are “unqualified”. What’s behind the understaffing.

Ambulance parked on Campbell Street. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

UNIONS have blasted Ambulance Tasmania for putting lives at risk as the service grapples with staff shortages.

Normally Tasmanian ambulances are staffed with two paramedics, but on Saturday, several crews only had one paramedic, joined by a patient transport officer – a situation the union has slammed as dangerous.

Health and Community Services Union industrial manager Robbie Moore said transport officers are only supposed to transfer patients who don’t require emergency care, but due to staff shortages they had been put in more high-risk situations.

“It’s not the appropriately qualified staff – paramedics go to university to study paramedicine, it’s not what patient transport officers are trained to do, it’s a burden to put on them,” Mr Moore said.

HACSU Industrial manager Robbie Moore at Parliament lawn Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“If you’ve got patients who are non-stable, there should be two paramedics in the vehicle.

“For instance, they can’t drive [at speed], emergency services can drive at a quicker pace with lights … these drivers aren’t qualified in that area.”

Mr Moore said the situation was becoming more common.

“There was a number of crews last night (Saturday),” Mr Moore said.

“This has happened a few other times, it’s unprecedented how widespread it is.

“It’s not the services the Tasmanian community deserve or need.”

The staffing issues coincide with one the busiest times of the year for paramedics.

“New Year’s Eve and Christmas are the busiest nights of the year for ambulances … to have a situation like what we’ve got at the moment is very dangerous,” Mr Moore said.

“Sick leave is up with Covid and other illnesses, that was expected and should have been planned for.

“We’ve been asking for more staff for years.”

Ambulance Tasmania chief executive Joe Acker said the organisation was committed to providing timely and high-quality emergency care.

Ambulance Tasmania Cheif Executive Joe Acker at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Like all other health and emergency services, AT can be impacted by staff absences, including unplanned sick leave,” Mr Acker said.

“We have well-established contingency plans in place to manage staff absence and ensure the emergency care needs of the community are met.

“All ambulances operate with safe levels of staffing and the community can have confidence that our crews will be there if they need them.”

Mr Acker said recruitment was a high priority, and 48 paramedic positions committed during the state election had been filled.

“AT has recently undertaken a successful recruitment campaign, with all current urban vacancies filled as a result of this process,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Not qualified’: Why patient transport officers have been behind the wheel of ambulances