Frustrated paramedic goes public over Tasmania’s ‘#healthcrisis’
One of the state’s largest municipalities was without adequate ambulance cover last night because of the escalating health crisis gripping the state, according to a frustrated paramedic.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ONE of the state’s largest municipalities was without adequate ambulance cover last night because of the escalating health crisis gripping the state, according to a paramedic.
The frustrated paramedic has revealed on Facebook that the city of Glenorchy, with a population of 50,000, had no ambulance vehicle overnight Friday through to Saturday — one of the busiest nights of the week.
He was not only without a vehicle, but also the only paramedic on duty — despite the fact paramedics are supposed to respond to emergencies in pairs.
“Nearly a decade of budget savings has pushed us to the point where our ambulances are old and failing and our paramedics and communications officers are worked beyond breaking point,” his post says.
STAFF SHORTAGES PUTTING AMBULANCE SERVICE ON THE BRINK
“So, as a result I set here alone, with no partner and no ambulance. In a city of 50,000 people. Just another day here in Tasmania #healthcrisis”.
The post had received almost 1000 likes by Saturday morning and was being widely shared.
The Health and Public Sector Union has vowed to support the paramedic if he is reprimanded over going public with the untenable situation.
HACSU assistant secretary Robbie Moore said many paramedics had taken to Facebook lately because of the lack of action from Government.
“It shows their desperation,” Mr Moore said.
“They now have to use these avenues to let people know what is really going on.”
Mr Moore said the union would support the paramedic if the State Government tried to target a whistleblower.
“It would be an indictment on the Government is he were targeted and we would pursue the Government over the matter.
“This is one of many posts”.
AMBULANCE WAIT FOR WYNYARD WOMAN WITH BROKEN HIP
Mr Moore said paramedics needed to work in pairs for safety reasons, and especially could not move patients without a partner if there was suspicion of spinal injuries.
It appears the paramedic was alone last night because of understaffing.
Mr Moore said paramedics were also unable to respond to emergencies without an ambulance vehicle, as they housed most of their equipment. He said Glenorchy was without a vehicle last night because of ramping at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
“In Glenorchy last night the nearest ambulance was ramped at the Royal … but in emergency situations every minute counts,” he said.
“It is alarming that a significant part of the population did not have an ambulance nearby”.