‘Mean spirited fun police’: Why paramedics have to take the tinsel down

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but if you’re a Tasmanian paramedic, you’d better watch how you celebrate. Find out why they’ve been told to take the tinsel off the ambulances.

Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) bed shortage, paramedics parked their ambulances outside the hospital's Argyle Street entrance to highlight the problem of 'ramping', ambulances lined up outside the RHH

Tasmanian paramedics will have to take the tinsel, baubles and Rudolph noses down from their ambulances, after being told it wasn’t ‘safe’ or ‘professional’ to have Christmas decorations on the emergency vehicles.

In an email to paramedics, Ambulance Tasmania assistant director David Horseman told paramedics the festive frivolity was not allowed.

“AT is fully supportive of Christmas decorations in your workplace that is not directly related to patient care,” Mr Horseman said in the email.

“Can you please refrain from decorating ambulance so that we maintain a professional and safe fleet over a very busy and culturally sensitive period for many people.”

Health and Community Services Union state secretary Tim Jacobson said decorating ambulances was something paramedics did every year.

“For as long as I can remember various paramedics have decorated their vehicles, obviously they consider safety,” Mr Jacobson said.

“To take that festivity away from ambulances is pretty mean spirited

“It seems too often the ambulance fun police deny any ability for paramedics to have a bit of fun.”

In other states, NSW Ambulance celebrated the decorating efforts of paramedics on social media.

Ambulances are allow to be decorated in NSW. Pic: NSW Ambulance

Queensland paramedics are also allowed to decorate ambulances, as long as it is done safely.

Queensland paramedics are allowed to decorate ambulances as long is it is done safely. Pic: Queensland Ambulance Service.

In South Australia, the use of small decorations, like tinsel along the dashboard is allowed.

Mr Jacobson said Tasmania’s decoration decision was over the top.

He said Christmas decorations were everywhere, including in public hospitals.

“This is bureaucracy gone mad,” he said.

“I cannot for the life of me understand where its unprofessional to put a decoration in an ambulance.

“I would have thought Ambulance Tasmania management had more worrying things to deal with than worrying about a petty issue like decorations on a few ambulances.”

He said the decorations were a small way paramedics could lift their spirits.

“It’s well known morale is at it’s worst,” Mr Jacobson said.

“Ambulance Tasmania should have a long hard look at itself and think about the effect these sorts of decisions have on its staff.’

Mr Jacobson believed the decision should be reversed.

Ambulance Tasmania chief executive Joe Acker said staff were encouraged to decorate other areas.

“Christmas is an exciting time of year that is celebrated by many, but the work doesn’t stop for our people at Ambulance Tasmania,” Mr Acker said.

SUN TAS. Ambulance Tasmania chief Joe Acker at the Hobart station. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The primary use of ambulances is to transport patients who are often seriously or critically injured or unwell and we must ensure ambulances are fit for purpose at all times, especially over Christmas when the workload tends to increase.

“We encourage and support our staff to decorate their ambulance stations, office work spaces, and common areas to celebrate the festive season.”