The decision by New South Wales ambulance officers to double the number of staff attending some routine call outs – in response to the state government’s decision to cut their disability entitlements – could have serious implications for public safety.
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As reported in the story broken by Northern Daily Leader reporter Haley Sheridan, paramedics are taking the step to reduce the risk of injury to staff at call outs that require heavy lifting. This would include routine jobs, such as extricating someone who had slipped and hurt themselves in the bath.
It is the latest development in the union’s battle against the benefit cuts, and the public should rightly be concerned. The ambulance officers’ union might want to play down the risks the move will have on their ability to respond to all call outs in a timely fashion, but it’s difficult to feel reassured.
There is an inescapable reality at play: there is only a finite number of paramedics serving any one area, and if twice the number of staff are required to attend some call outs the same level of service communities currently enjoy can not be guaranteed.
To be clear, the paramedics’ decision to increase the number of staff attending some jobs seems entirely reasonable in the circumstances. All workers need peace of mind that, in the event of a debilitating accident, they will have the financial means to support themselves and their families.
While one would be naive to think the union’s decision on staffing levels does not have any political motivations – it will put pressure on the government to soften its position – no one can argue the paramedics don’t have legitimate concerns.
They are pushing for parity with police officers who receive seven years of compensation under their current death and disability scheme (ambulance officers will receive only two years under their new deal). Most would agree they have an arguable case.
Paramedics, by the very nature of their work, are thrust into risky situations on a daily basis. They are often the first people on the scene of serious accidents, helping people who have fallen victim to violence, or treating people under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Communities across NSW, particularly in rural areas, rely heavily on the responsiveness of ambulance services. If that service is diminished as a result of the union’s stance on staffing levels, the state government might have no option but to return to the negotiating table.