Health Minister knew of new Ambulance Victoria boss Andrew Crisp’s seven weeks of leave

The state government knew of Ambulance Victoria’s new chief executive Andrew Crisp’s plans to take more than seven weeks of leave, less than a month after taking over the troubled organisation.

New Ambulance Victoria boss Andrew Crisp is going on leave for more than seven weeks. Picture: Paul Jeffers

Ambulance Victoria’s new boss is going on leave for more than seven weeks, less than a month after taking over the troubled organisation.

Andrew Crisp was appointed interim chief executive just one week ago, after the former boss Jane Miller resigned amid a lengthy industrial dispute and a resounding union vote of no confidence in the agency’s executive.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has thrown her support behind Ambulance Victoria boss Andrew Crisp despite Mr Crisp deciding to go on leave for over seven weeks less than one month into the role.

Ms Thomas also revealed she knew about Mr Crisp’s planned trip before he was appointed interim chief executive of the troubled organisation.

“In the short time that he has been part of Ambulance Victoria, he has already made a significant difference,” Ms Thomas said.

“The board have full confidence in Andrew as the interim CEO, and so does the workforce, and so do I.”

New Ambulance Victoria boss Andrew Crisp is going on leave for more than seven weeks. Picture: Paul Jeffers

Ms Thomas echoed Mr Crisp in conceding the timing of his leave was “not ideal” so early in his term and in the middle of a lengthy industrial action campaign by paramedics.

“Andrew himself said that that’s not ideal, but this is a break that has been long booked and that’s a situation that we will just work with,” Ms Thomas said.

“But I’m very confident, and I know the board are confident that Andrew has already set the tone (in) the way in which he expects negotiations to continue and be resolved.

“With regard to the enterprise bargaining agreement, Andrew has the confidence of the board and the workforce, and therefore he has my confidence.”

Mr Crisp told Raf Epstein on ABC Radio Melbourne on Wednesday morning he was going on prearranged leave for seven and a half weeks, and would be “uncontactable” for some of that time.

“It’s a long trip that’s been planned for a long period of time, I know it’s not ideal,” he said.

The leave comes during growing tensions in the health system, with paramedics locked in a lengthy industrial action campaign amid concerns over the agency’s management, hospital ramping, workload and poorly triaged calls.

Mr Crisp was appointed interim chief executive just one week ago. Picture: Ian Currie

The Herald Sun also revealed on Wednesday morning that a specialist ambulance crew had to be sent to treat an “urgent” patient inside a hospital corridor, because the emergency department was too busy to treat her.

Mr Crisp said the paramedics did an incredible job: “The call was escalated and there was a need to save someone’s life and that’s what occurred.”

When asked if now was an appropriate time to leave, Mr Crisp defended the trip and said, while not ideal, the organisation was bigger than just him and his absence would not impact EBA negotiations.

“There’ll be some very clear instructions for Andrew Carlyon,” he said.

“I joined the board in July, I did not think I would finish up in this position today.

“Ambulance Victoria will not live or die by Andrew Crisp being around.

“I think I bring some skills and some experience to the role … but it’s a big organisation.”

He said he was asked to take the job and would come back well rested and keen to continue his work.

“I’ve given it 100 per cent I believe for the time I’ve been here,” he said.

Originally published as Health Minister knew of new Ambulance Victoria boss Andrew Crisp’s seven weeks of leave