Only two ambulance crews in operation across Launceston because of staffing shortages

Tasmania’s second biggest city was reduced to just two ambulances on Saturday – serving a population of more than 70,000 people. Here’s why >>

Ramping at Launceston General Hospital at 3.06pm, January 21, 2023. Picture: LGH Community Support

Tasmania’s second biggest city had just two ambulance crews working during the day on Saturday because of staffing shortages and officers off on sick leave.

There were just two crews and one single-response unit instead of five crews and two single-response units operating in Launceston during the day on Saturday.

Health and Community Services Union Industrial Manager Lucas Digney said the situation was caused by paramedic’s staffing shortages and officers off on sick leave.

“You would think that a well-managed service would have contingencies to cover that. But given the lack of staffing that exists, they simply weren’t able to do anything in the short term to address it,” he said.

“All reports are that there was no critical incident that they couldn’t provide a response to, but that’s more good luck than good management.

HACSU Industrial Manager Lucas Digney speaks to media at Parliament Lawns. Picture: Linda Higginson

“In a state where our response times are already the worst in the country, it wouldn’t have been a very good day.”

Mr Digney said the paramedics didn’t get a break.

“They were able to get a couple of single officers to come in and start later in the afternoon and provide a bit more cover for the last three hours or so,” he said.

“While the government announced an additional 78 paramedics last week and that’s certainly welcomed, that’s probably around half of what’s needed to meet the shortfall and create some sort of improvement to those response times.”

A Health Department spokesperson said Ambulance Tasmania can be impacted by staff absence including unplanned sick leave.

“Every effort is made to fill all rostering vacancies and there are well-established continuity plans in place to manage resourcing and ensure the community’s emergency care needs are met,” they said.

“When staff vacancies occur and shifts are unable to be filled with casual employees or through overtime, operational plans are enacted to ensure Tasmanians’ needs are met, especially during periods of high demand for all health services.

“Ambulance Tasmania has a graduate recruitment program underway at present with these graduates commencing operational paramedic duties in the coming month. Further recruitment and induction programs are scheduled which will bolster paramedic positions across the State.”

A state government spokesperson said they are working hard to attract healthcare workers.

“Alongside the 78 new full time paramedics, we are also investing in more doctors, nurses, and allied health workers through incentives that will attract more health care workers to Tasmania,” they said.

“This increase in health staff will enable Tasmanians to receive the health care system they deserve.”