The ambulance workers’ union has today shed new light on the dire state of ambulance ramping in Tasmania, appearing before the parliamentary select committee into ambulance ramping. The stark reality revealed by HACSU indicates that ambulance response times have surged to nearly double the recommended time for urgent calls, leaving workers with no choice but to consider industrial action.
The root of the issue lies in capacity constraints and a lack of any real and decisive action from the government. Ambulance Tasmania's overreliance on paramedic overtime further exacerbates the problem. This past Saturday witnessed a staggering 40% staffing rate in the northern region, leaving 8 crucial shifts uncovered.
HACSU Industrial Manager, Lucas Digney, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation. “Ambulance response times in Tasmania were already the worst in the country, and they continue to get worse. It's soul destroying for our members, as they’re dealing with the enormous stress caused by it every day, and there is absolutely no plan to fix it.”
Lucas Digney attributed the crisis to chronic underinvestment in primary health, hospital capacity and frontline staff. Despite the government’s assurances of added staffing, many positions are either not permanently funded or remain vacant, leading to an overreliance on overtime as the primary but unsustainable solution.
“Our paramedics and ambulance workers are already the busiest in the nation. Ramping is taking an extra toll, both physically and emotionally. The burden of an underfunded and chaotic health system should not impede their ability to respond to medical emergencies and save lives. We've reached a breaking point, and it seems industrial action is the only way to force tangible government action.”
HACSU Industrial Manager Lucas Digney and paramedic Simone Haigh will be available for comments at Parliament Lawns at 3.15pm today, joined by other ambulance workers.
For further information or comment, please contact Lucas Digney.
ENDS