Ambulance Tasmania CEO Joe Acker: Loss of state’s top ambo a blow, says staff union
The departure of the state’s ambulance service chief couldn’t come at a worse time, the health union says as pressure is put on the department to secure a replacement as soon as possible.
Tasmania
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THE departure of Ambulance Tasmania CEO Joe Acker was a major blow to the organisation and came at a difficult time, the staff union says.
Mr Acker’s resignation after two years in the job was announced on Wednesday night. He will finish up at the end of May and was planning to return to Canada, the Department of Health said.
Health and Community Services Union State secretary Tim Jacobson said Mr Acker’s departure was a loss.
“It’s another huge blow to our health system and particularly Ambulance Tasmania that is going through probably one of the worst moments in its entire history,” he said.
“We have ambulance caseload through the roof, we have vacancies, we have exhausted staff and on top of that, we have a culture that really does need to be addressed in Ambulance Tasmania, that Joe had commenced work on.
“We’re now back to scratch. We’re having to start again. And we don’t know what the future is in terms of leadership in Ambulance Tasmania.”
Mr Acker brought with him more than 30 years’ experience in paramedic systems, health services and academia in both Australia and Canada.
Before joining Ambulance Tasmania, he was the Director of Clinical and Professional Practice for the British Columbia Emergency Health Services based in Vancouver, Canada.
Mr Jacobson said a new CEO would have a lot to get on with.
“The big ticket items are dealing with the fundamental issue that we’ve got and that is ambulance ramping and caseload let’s be very, very clear about that. They’re not issues that a CEO themselves can resolve. The government really does need to pick up it’s game, have a look at the issues affecting ambulance blockages at the hospital but also have a look at the resources that we’re going to need now and into the future.”
Labor Health spokeswoman Anita Dow said a permanent CEO was needed promptly for Ambulance Tasmania.
“After nearly a decade of Liberal Government we have increased ramping, Ambulance Tasmania staff being rostered to the ramp, ambulance response times up 25 per cent, staff shortages and unfilled shifts,” she said.
“Cultural issues within the organisation also remain.
“The departure of Joe Acker is the latest blow for the Rockliff Government in a service they were already struggling to deliver.
“After a high turnover of CEOs, more instability is the last thing Ambulance Tasmania needs at a time when strong leadership is required.”
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