Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill expressed the need for paramedics to be innovative with their industrial action, citing frustrations with issues such as overtime, dispatch system errors, and internal turmoil. Hill mentioned a ban on paramedics taking billing details from patients as a way to disrupt and cause administrative burden to Ambulance Victoria to advance their claims. This comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing disputes around pay and conditions that have persisted for eight months.
Amidst this turmoil, Andrew Crisp, recently appointed as Ambulance Victoria’s interim chief executive, defended his decision to take a pre-booked seven-week holiday, stating that the organization would not be dependent on his presence. Crisp highlighted ongoing discussions between management and union representatives, indicating progress towards resolving the disputes. He also mentioned plans to work on improving ambulance response times by addressing issues such as hospital ramping and call-taking procedures.
A recent incident at Maroondah Hospital, where an ambulance crew was sent to treat a cardiac patient in a corridor due to lack of available beds, has raised concerns about the state of Victoria’s health system. Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas called the incident unacceptable and ordered investigations by Ambulance Victoria and Eastern Health, the hospital operators. Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier criticized the government for its inability to manage frontline agencies, affecting the delivery of vital health services.
Eastern Health acknowledged the pressures on its emergency departments due to higher-acuity cases, leading to limited bed availability. They emphasized their commitment to working with Ambulance Victoria to deliver the best care despite the system’s challenges. The public was encouraged to seek alternative healthcare options for non-urgent conditions. Ambulance Victoria reiterated its commitment to negotiating in good faith with employee representatives toward reaching a mutually beneficial enterprise agreement.
A Victorian government spokesperson highlighted the critical role of paramedics in keeping the public healthy and safe, mentioning significant investments in ambulance services since coming to power. The government expects Ambulance Victoria and the Victorian Ambulance Union to continue negotiations in good faith to reach a resolution promptly. While concerns persist about the state of Victoria’s health system, efforts are being made to address issues such as ambulance response times and frontline agency management to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services to the community.
