15 hours in PPE: Ambulance unions say workers are buckling under mounting pressures

Ambulance workers are calling for more resources and more staff as they buckle under the huge number of Covid hospitalisations in the Omicron peak.

Pressure continues to mount in the state’s health system as ambulance worker unions call for more resources and staff to assist during the Omicron peak.

Ambulance workers across Queensland are buckling under the “overwhelming” Covid-19 hospitalisation numbers, according to United Workers Union National Ambulance Coordinator Fiona Scalon.

“A day in the life of our members right now is one of going to work, spending 12 to 15 hours in PPE, responding to case after case – often to people who have waited significant periods of time for assistance, often alone and then hoping you don’t take any virus home,” Ms Scalon said.

Ambulance workers, including paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, patient transport officers and call handlers, are becoming increasingly worried as the peak of Omicron edges closer.

“Members are fearful of more staff testing positive, more calls from the community and less resources to respond with in the coming weeks.”

With increased exposure to the virus, more staff are at risk of testing positive to Covid-19, leaving other workers with an even heavier workload.

“Members are calling for better planning around covering absences of operational staff, with more lead in time for available shifts to be filled – when left to the last minute, no one wants to pick up a lengthy shift which is already under resourced,” Ms Scalon said. 

The union is asking for more permanent staff in all areas of the industry as well as additional resources on the ground in hopes of easing pressure on current workers. 

“Staff need the equipment available for them to carry out their roles and rostering to ensure people can finish on time, take a break during their shifts and not have to work alone when normally part of a crew.”

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Emergency dispatchers are also stretched thin according to Ms Scalon, who said that lengthy delays have resulted in the need for additional staff to make callbacks to anxious patients. 

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said today that people who haven’t displayed severe Covid symptoms should refrain from calling triple-0 simply to get RAT tests or to be transported to a testing clinic. 

“I know it is scary to hear you’ve got Covid but if the symptoms you’ve got … If you would not have called triple-0 because of those symptoms then you shouldn’t now,” she said. 

Currently, the industry is working to adapt to the growing number of cases with extra layers of in field triage, all operational staff on front line work and daily updates to staff on processes as they happen. 

Hospital ramping areas are also being stocked with cold drinks and food where possible to prepare for the inevitable lengthy waits to transfer care.