Paramedics ask RUOK? every day

Senior paramedics reveal how the Northern Rivers community can help ambulance officers on RUOK Day by respecting the job they do, as assaults and abuse of first responders is on the rise.

SUPPORTING MATES: Paramedics at Lismore Ambulance station are standing up for RUOK? Day and supporting their mates on the frontline and the back office. L-R Mathew Dugard, Acting Supt Greg Powell, Taylor French, Luke Wyld and Acting Insp Kat McAnelly. Photo: Alison Paterson

It’s a job where every shift you work you have the opportunity to save a life.

But it’s also a career where you have to make sure the lives you preserve include your own.

Which is why paramedics at Ambulance NSW Lismore station said they have the RUOK? conversation regularly.

Ahead of 2021 RUOK? Day on September 9, senior paramedics spoke frankly about the job where one shift can involve more blood, potential danger and distress than most people face in a year.

But they were equally adamant that it’s important not only to ask RUOK? to your workmates as it is to answer honestly when it is asked of you.

Ambulance NSW Acting Superintendent Zone Manager, Northern Zone Greg Powell, said,

“it’s the conversation you have to have.”

ASK THE QUESTION: Acting Inspector Kat McAnelly pictured at Lismore Ambulance Station, said supporting colleagues every day of the year is vital, but RUOK? Day offers the opportunity to have an importance conversation about mental health in the workplace. Picture: Alison Paterson

He said his paramedic and support staff are “outstanding,” but agreed they have had a tough few years.

Mr Powell said the floods of 2017 followed by bushfires in 2018 and then the 2019 pandemic which brought enormous health and economic challenges to the Northern Rivers community meant everyone is under extra stress.

Including his people.

“Paramedics attend a high level of mental health patients in the community,” he said.

“While our paramedics are highly trained in assessing and supporting people with mental health issues, around 30 per cent of the jobs they attended have a mental health component.”

Mr Powell said he personally knew of several paramedics who when asked the question RUOK? had been brave enough to answer, ‘no, not really.’

“This means we can help them get the support they need,” he said.

“While we have excellent formal mental health support sometimes it’s tapping a friend on the shoulder that gets the conversation going, RUOK? Day takes away any stigma as it’s the one conversation everyone is having.”

Mr Powell said the stresses have continued to climb as the pandemic continued.

“This week paramedics commenced having a rapid antigen test every shift as we assume every patient could be Covid positive,” he said.

“Paramedics must wear full PPE (personal protective equipment) comprising gloves, mask, disposable gown and googles, there’s no room for complacency.”

Acting Inspector Kat McAnelly said tapping a workmate or colleague on the shoulder and asking RUOK? on any day is critical

“Ambulance personnel deal with a lot of physical and emotional jobs daily,” she said.

“RUOK? Day really highlights for paramedics and everyone in the community to have this important discussion in troubling times, it’s a great reminder that there’s more support if you need it.”

Discover how to have a lifesaving conversation, at RUOK?