NSW Ambulance says the helicopter paramedic fatigue policy is not going anywhere, despite contrary claims from the Health Services Union (HSU).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW Ambulance refuted the union’s claim, and said the groups met on Tuesday to discuss “a different interpretation of the wording of the policy”, relating to on-call work, following day shifts.
On Saturday, the health ministry introduced a new break policy for helicopter paramedics, with the requirement of a minimum 10-hour break between shifts for workers.
The HSU welcomed the move, but said additional paramedics would need to be employed at regional bases in Tamworth, Lismore and Orange in order for the policy to be properly used.
On Thursday afternoon, the HSU claimed the policy was abandoned because the Ministry for Health realised it “would require employing an extra paramedic at each base.”
“NSW Ambulance met with the HSU on Tuesday to clarify the interpretation of wording contained in the fatigue policy for critical care helicopter paramedics who perform day-shift proceeding to on-call night duties,” an Ambulance spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said it was agreed by both parties at the meeting, NSW Ambulance would “make changes to the wording of the policy and remove and any ambiguity” from the roster scheme.
NSW Ambulance said affected staff would be emailed the relevant changes to clarify their operational requirements of the paramedics.