Union calls for review into Ambulance Victoria’s performance

The state opposition has joined a key union in calling for a major review into Ambulance Victoria’s performance.

The state opposition have supported calls for the Ombudsman to undertake a “wide-ranging” review into the performance of Ambulance Victoria.

As revealed by the Herald Sun on Thursday, the Ambulance Employees Australia Victoria, a sub-branch of the United Workers Union, have called on Deborah Glass to probe historical issues predating the pandemic that led to the current crisis.

It follows seven code reds being declared just this year alone.

AEAV secretary Brett Adie said the ambulance system, in its current form, was continuing to fail the Victorian community.

“We can’t just keep blaming Covid for the woes in the sector. There is no doubt that Covid has been the catalyst, but the root cause of the current issues is far more insidious,” he said.

“If we don’t understand the underlying issues that led to the current crisis, then how can the public or paramedics have any confidence that things will improve?”

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said she backed the calls from paramedics.

“They are the ones that have been on the frontline and they’re the ones who are saying ‘we’re sick of the spin from Daniel Andrews and his government’,” she said.

“This is years in the making. It’s not just because of Covid. They’re speaking out now and telling the truth, it’s time the government did the same.”

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the transfer of patients from Ambulance Victoria into health services is a “complex system issue”.

“This is something our government is working on everyday. It’s part of our pandemic repair plan,” she said.

“We are looking at the way in which we can address patient flow in our healthcare settings and that we can get people being treated most appropriately as quickly as we can.”

Paramedics say ramping issues existed before Covid. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Two serving paramedics, speaking anonymously as they aren’t allowed to talk to the media, said they were “absolutely worried” by the crisis.

“I’m not proud to wear the uniform at the moment. When I first started this job, I was really proud that I could serve my community, but I feel I’m no longer able to serve them properly,” one paramedic said.

The members said ramping remained the biggest issue, but highlighted the fact that it was an issue “well before Covid”.

“Five years ago, I still remember being ramped at hospitals for five hours, so the issues we are seeing aren’t new,” one said.

“It is a bit of a shame they’re spinning the story to say that’s it’s all about Covid.

“Generally, paramedics know the (Labor) government has put a lot of money into our industry. We appreciate they’re trying but it doesn’t seem the money is flowing into the right places and it’s just Band-Aid fixes.”

Mr Adie claimed that since 2015, the organisation had “driven their staff into the ground” to achieve key performance targets that were then used to “hide failures”.

He said a review similar to the one carried out by former police chief Graham Ashton into the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) was needed because the government and Ambulance Victoria “cannot be trusted to be honest about the cause of the crisis”.

“Critical eyes need to look through the Covid smokescreen to find the real cause,” he added.

Ambulance Employees Australia Victoria has called for a sweeping review of Ambulance Victoria’s performance Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said prior to the pandemic, the organisation’s response performance was best on record.

“Despite the challenges of this Covid-19-environment, increases in influenza cases and deferred care, our hardworking paramedics, nurses and first responders continue to deliver safe and high-quality patient outcomes, every day,” he said.

“We acknowledge and appreciate the work of our people, and take their physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing seriously.”

He said the organisation offered wellbeing and support services to employees and their immediate family.

A state government spokeswoman said: “Ambulance Victoria and their dedicated paramedics have one priority – patient safety, which remains their key focus amid the unprecedented and ongoing pressure from the pandemic.”