09 AUTUMN 2015
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REGULARS From the President 05 States of Activity 08 Contacts 24
Cover photo: WA Paramedic and brains behind the Our Hearts Day in WA initiative, Lyn Sinclair.
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 AUTUMN 2015
Ambulance Active Official Publication of National Council of Ambulance Unions
PUBLISHER Ambulance Active is published by Countrywide Austral. Countrywide Austral adheres to stringent ethical advertising practices and any advertising inquiries should be directed to:
Level 2, 310 King Street, Melbourne • GPO Box 2466, Melbourne 3001 Ph: (03) 9937 0200 Fax: (03) 9937 0201 • Email: admin@cwaustral.com.au
FEATURES 04 NCAU Conference 06 Code One call for ambulance 12 Emergency culture 14 In Our Hearts Black Ribbon Day 15 Our ‘Spidey Sense’ paramedics streets 16 Australian ahead of US counterparts secures new enterprise 19 WA agreement 21 Response times at critical point 23 New voice for QLD paramedics
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16 Disclaimer: Countrywide Austral (“Publisher”) advises that the contents of this publication are at the sole discretion of the National Council of Ambulance Unions and the publication is offered for background information purposes only. The publication has been formulated in good faith and the Publisher believes its contents to be accurate, however, the contents do not amount to a recommendation (either expressly or by implication) and should not be relied upon in lieu of specific professional advice. The Publisher disclaims all responsibility for any loss or damage which may be incurred by any reader relying upon the information contained in the publication whether that loss or damage is caused by any fault or negligence on the part of the publisher, its directors and employees. Copyright: All advertisements appearing in this publication are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the consent of the owner of the copyright. Advertising: Advertisements in this journal are solicited from organisations and businesses on the understanding that no special considerations other than those normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings, will be given to any advertiser.
NCAU CONFERENCE
CANBERRA, 19-21 AUGUST 2015 Win a trip to Canberra This year, the NCAU Conference will be held in Canberra from 19‑21 August. The NCAU will sponsor a member to attend the conference. The prize winner will join conference delegates at functions to be held in iconic national institutions including Parliament House, the National Museum of Australia and the Australian War Memorial. In recognition of the 100-year anniversary since the Australian and New Zealand troops landed at Gallipoli, the conference dinner will be held at the Australian War Memorial. As emergency services professionals, this will provide us all with an opportunity to reflect on the battles fought, and lives lost in the line of duty. The Australian War Memorial is a heritage building located beneath the picturesque Mt Ainslie. Delegates will be invited to a private tour of the Memorial, followed by dinner at the recently opened Poppy’s restaurant. To enter: Simply tell us in 250 words or less why you want to go to this year’s NCAU Conference in Canberra for your chance to win return flights, accommodation and dinner at the War Memorial. To enter, email your response to aeavic@unitedvoice.org.au Entries close at 5pm on 30 June 2015. THE FINE PRINT: • You must be a current financial member of a constituent NCAU member union to be eligible to enter this competition. • The prize consists of return flights to Canberra with two nights’ accommodation and some meals. Flights depart from your closest capital city on Wednesday 19 August, returning Friday 21 August 2014.
• Some meals, airport transfers and ancillary costs will be the responsibility of the sponsored member (competition winner). • To enter, members are required to outline in 250 words or less why they wish to attend the NCAU Conference. • Applications must be submitted via email aeavic@unitedvoice.org.au by 30 June 2015. • The NCAU will evaluate all entries and select one member to sponsor. The decision of the NCAU will be final and no further correspondence will be entered into. • The member selected by the NCAU to be sponsored must be available to attend the NCAU Conference and will be responsible for organising their own leave from their employer, if required.
• The member selected by the NCAU to be sponsored to attend the NCAU Conference will be required to submit an article about their attendance at the Conference for publication in the November 2015 edition of Ambulance Active.
• The article must be submitted to the NCAU by 30 September 2015.
PRESIDENT
STEVE McGHIE, PRESIDENT, NCAU
the PRESIDENT OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS, we have seen first-hand how state governments that show hostility towards paramedics will be squeezed out. Any state government that shows any kind of lack of support towards our industry professionals must be prepared to cop the wrath from paramedics, and the public that supports them. We saw this firstly in Victoria in November 2014. History was written when a first term government was toppled in the state election, mostly off the back of unhappy paramedics and other emergency service workers. Then in January, history repeated. A new minority Labor Government, led by Annastacia Palaszczuk, threw the first term Campbell Newman government out of Queensland office. It is also fantastic to see as an outcome of the Queensland election, that paramedics Craig Crawford and Aaron Harper were elected as Ministers of Parliament in the new government. Congratulations to Craig and Aaron and everyone that assisted them during their campaigns. You can read more about this on page 23. In the last journal, I informed you that the NCAU had written to the Federal
AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
“The NCAU conference will be held in the
nation’s capital, Canberra, this year. The NCAU will again sponsor two paramedics to attend the two-day conference. The prize includes flights, accommodation, conference delegate fees and a dinner to be held at the Australian War Memorial. See entry details on the facing page, 4, along with more information about the conference.
”
Health Minister regarding standardising hospital off-stretcher times. As you may be aware, there was a reshuffle of the federal ministry with Susan Ley appointed health minister. Minister Ley responded to our letter by referring us back to the state health ministers, stating our issue is for the state. We will continue to pursue an outcome on this issue. The NCAU conference will be held in the nation’s capital, Canberra, this year. The NCAU will again sponsor
two paramedics to attend the two-day conference. The prize includes flights, accommodation, conference delegate fees and a dinner to be held at the Australian War Memorial. See entry details on the facing page, 4, along with more information about the conference. Finally, the NCAU extends its congratulations to WA and ACT for finalising their new Enterprise Bargaining Agreements. Read more about WA on page 19.
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CODE ONE
Ambulance officers in Queensland have had enough. THEY’VE HAD ENOUGH OF BEING over-worked, constantly fatigued, underresourced and undervalued. So, they have decided to fight back. In response to the growing crisis in Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), the Code One campaign was set up to revive Queensland Ambulance Service. Ambulance officer and United Voice delegate Darren Brown is heavily involved in the campaign. “Ambulance officers are at absolute breaking point,” he said. “We’re doing long shifts with no breaks, fatigue levels have skyrocketed and the amount of unfilled shifts is out of control. We need immediate action.” That action came in the form of the Code One campaign. Code One Queensland is one of the biggest ever campaigns undertaken by ambulance officers. Both a political and public campaign, the aim is to revive Queensland Ambulance Service. Ambulance officers are taking their stories to the community and the decision makers, asking politicians to support their action plan. United Voice members were out and about during the state election, meeting with MPs and candidates and asking them where they stand on the Code One campaign and calling on them to sign the Code One pledge. Mr Brown said the lead up to the election was an integral part of the Code One campaign. “In the three weeks before the state election, ambulance officers met a total of 56 MPs and candidates,” he said. “We asked them exactly where they stood on our campaign issues and I must say the response was encouraging.” Politicians were asked to commit to the following to fix the problems in QAS: • No privatisation of QAS patient transfer • No privatisation of QAS communications • Increase of net ambulance numbers by 600 over three years
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• Fixing the ambulance fatigue crisis • Rostering for best-practice emergency dispatch and patient records • Increased opportunities for skill maintenance and development • Introduction of professional registration • Introduction of professional pay rates and superannuation paid on total earnings • Introduction of medical discharge pension (similar to police) • Reinstatement of collective rights and maintenance of all current conditions.
Before the election, United Voice wrote to both Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk and LNP leader Campbell Newman asking them what aspects of the action plan they would commit to. The ambulance state council rated both responses, awarding the LNP just 2.5 out of 10 and Labor 7.5 out of 10 based on their response to the 10-point plan. Now with Labor in power, the future looks a lot brighter for ambulance officers. However, Mr Brown warns that ambulance officers cannot afford to be complacent. AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
CODE ONE
“Now with Labor in power, the future looks a lot brighter for ambulance officers.”
“We’ve got a lot of work to do to ensure the Labor Government follows through on the Code One commitments,” he said. “The LNP has done a lot of damage to QAS over the last three years and now we finally have a government that we hope we can work with.” Ambulance officers look forward to meeting with the new Health Minister Cameron Dick to discuss how to progress the Code One commitments. AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk signing Code One pledge.
Already work has started on a new fatigue management plan which will be developed by ambulance officers and taken to the Health Minister to review and implement. After three years of no consultation,
brutal cuts and attacks, United Voice ambulance officers are looking forward to working with a government that gives them the respect and recognition they deserve.
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Western Australia PARAMEDICS HAVE OFFICIALLY signed a new four-year deal with St John Ambulance WA. The negotiations were long, but the United Voice bargaining committee secured some important benefits for members including an increase to the minimum break between shifts, from 8 to 9.5 hours (from July 2017) and guaranteeing the Proximity Allowance until 2017 for Paramedics in the North West of the state. In the new deal, pay has been increased in two ways: an overall 8 per cent increase, plus an additional 5.4 per cent on night shifts, over four years. In a new move for WA, Professional Indemnity Insurance has been introduced for union members. From this financial year, United Voice’s Indemnity Insurance Policy will cover ambulance personnel. The policy protects workers who may be sued for events that occur while they are carrying out professional duties and all ambulance members are now covered. After a very tough year for WA paramedics, there is now a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. As part of this effort, United Voice has approached the Australian leader in the field of traumatic stress, who specialises in the research of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Recently, WA Shadow Minister for Health Roger Cook publicly called for a parliamentary inquiry into the mental health and wellbeing of paramedics and ambulance officers, after a series of stories were aired on ABC radio. Talks are currently ongoing on how the current mental health program can be improved and the timing of the Inquiry.
Queensland WHAT A DIFFERENCE AN ELECTION MAKES. The industrial landscape in Queensland has changed dramatically over the last few months with the election of Labor Government. For three years, ambulance officers suffered the attacks of the anti-worker, anti-union LNP Government.
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The devastating effects on Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) led United Voice to set up the Code One campaign late last year to revive Queensland Ambulance Service. The campaign really escalated in the lead up to the election with delegations of ambulance officers meeting their local MPs and candidates to see where they stood on the ambulance crisis. Ambulance officers travelled the state before the election at the end of January and met with 54 MPs and candidates, 46 of these were Labor candidates. The response was overwhelming with Labor politicians agreeing to support most of the 10-point plan. Now there is a new Labor Government and new Health Minister, the focus is on ensuring these politicians are kept to account. The fatigue crisis is one of the major issues in the Code One campaign. Ambulance officers in Queensland are being pushed to the limit, working 12 and 13 hour shifts without a break. United Voice is working with QAS to address this problem and is in the midst of re-drafting a Fatigue Management Policy. The union called for expressions of interest from working ambulance officers and a committee has been formed to work on a solution to the fatigue problem. The ALP is committed to working with QAS and United Voice to review and introduce a new fatigue management policy. Once members meet and draft a new policy, this will be presented to the Labor Government to act on the suggestions of those on the front line. United Voice has also commissioned two detailed academic studies on the impact of trauma on ambulance officers and the viability of a work value case. The second comes as a result of the controversial enterprise bargaining decision early last year. A reference group of working ambulance officers has been established and includes Brigid Wall, Neil Stead, James Thompson and Kroy Day. They have held initial meetings with the academic team from Griffith University. Associate Professor Keith Townsend and Dr Rebecca Loudoun, experts in enterprise bargaining, health and safety at work, workforce participation and industrial relations are leading the research. United Voice believes this major research will be of great value in tackling two of the biggest issues facing ambulance officers in Queensland.
Northern Territory THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN THE NORTHERN Territory is the enterprise agreement negotiations, which have been ongoing since April 2013. There is still no common ground to be found on the enterprise agreement negotiations with St John Ambulance Service since the last report in Ambulance Active in December. St John made an application with the Fair Work Commission to assist with the negotiations. Both parties appeared last month and the discussions were productive and have progressed slightly. Since the commission conciliation, St John has tabled two revisited offers to the members but both have been rejected as St John is only offering a rolled-up back pay of $2000. The majority membership does not support this rolled-up back pay as members have clearly advised the union that these prolonged negotiations are solely due to the actions, threats and conduct of St John to continually provide an agreement offer that shows a complete lack of respect and value for their employees, and which attempts to bully them into accepting these inferior offers. The actions of St John throughout these negotiations have provided a clear message to the members to the effect of ‘Lets negotiate – but it’s my way or no way’. St John is still claiming that the reasons for not providing the full back pay is due to an increase in overtime, personal leave, parental leave and engaging legal services against the union during these negotiations. Members have stayed united during these negotiations and will continue to do so until they are provided their reasonable request for back pay, or at least a better offer is provided for.
New South Wales STAFFING LEVELS, OR MORE TO THE point, inadequate staffing to meet growing demand, remains a critical issue in NSW. AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
NCAU ACTIVE
Paramedics are facing significant challenges arising from staffing levels not keeping pace with the growth in cases. Since 2010 there has been around 30,000 additional attendances per annum. This equates to an increase in workload of 120,000 over the period and only includes the Sydney metropolitan area. The growth in work has seen response performance for the 50th percentile of emergency cases increase from 10.32 minutes to 11.02 minutes. The accepted Australian standard is 10 minutes, a mark NSW has not met since 2008. Every day, paramedics are experiencing fatigue, missed crib breaks and overtime. Information provided by the Ambulance Service following NSW’s dispute notification identified that 70 per cent of staff experienced Extension of Shift (EOS) further outlining the gaping chasm between staffing levels and service requirement. The picture in regional NSW is just as bad with the problem exacerbated by the tyranny of distance and the quality of roads especially at night. In the second week of February this year, the Health Services Union was the applicant in an action to seek the creation of a new classification. The new classification, if successful, would be known as a *Critical Care Paramedic (CCP). The evidence presented during the hearings was that paramedics working in helicopters have, over time, seen an increase in their clinical delegations over and above that of an Intensive Care Paramedic. The HSU has been before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission a number of times over the past couple of months. Some of the highlights are: • The HSU is demanding information via the dispute process about service performance, response times and attendance on job numbers. What is concerning is that there seems to be no pro-active modelling or workforce planning being undertaken by the Ambulance Service even though the statistics indicate a service stretched to the limits. • In an application by the NSW Ambulance Service to stop workers running WHS elections, Deputy President Harrison rejected their argument. The WHS Act is very clear in that conveys rights to workers to determine the way in which WHS structures and election processes are to be handled. Well done to members and delegates in the Mid North Coast Region for their leadership and activism. • A further application by the NSW Ambulance Service, again under the WHS guise, viewed using rights under the NSW WHS Act as threatening Industrial Action. The ASNSW did not argue their dispute AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
notification and the IRC found no basis for their arguments. The cause of this dispute is management directing paramedics to report to another station that is short staffed which could be 1 to 2 hours away from the home station. The NCAU is united on the issue of national registration. NSW is the only state government that does not support this reform. HSU will be engaging with paramedics on this issue as move into campaign mode to lobby the NSW Government to get in behind them. *A CCP is a paramedic engaged in the Aeromedical Services working out of helicopters predominately.
Australian Capital Territory THE FINDINGS OF THE LONG-AWAITED cultural review of the ACT Ambulance Service,which started in October 2013, were handed to government last month. The findings were damning, with the ACT Ambulance Service undermined by bullying, blame, distrust verging on paranoia, and poor, ad-hoc and erratic management. This work has underpinned much of the TWU’s work over the past few months. Read TWU ACT Secretary Klaus Pinkas’ opinion of the review along with a Q&A that identifies ‘culture’ and why the review was necessary on pages 12 and 13. The TWU is pleased to report that on 26 March 2015 the Fair Work Commission finally approved the ACT Public Sector ACT Ambulance Enterprise Agreement 20132017, which came into effect on 2 April. This means that the pay increases secured by the TWU for ACT Paramedics will now be passed on, and payment of back pay is to be made in May this year.
Tasmania THERE IS A CLEAR MAJORITY OF members that disagree with a proposal to impose a roster change from a 10/14 hour structure to 12/12 structure. Worksafe Tasmania is currently reviewing the consultation processes but they have stated they are not going to make a determination about risk or risk management. Ambulance Tasmania (AT) has grouped or ‘clustered’ country stations and have provided fixed term contracts as a way of replacing the permanent station officers when they take leave. This reduces the need for these positions to be covered on overtime and also stops AT from paying travel allowances for the two people that have so far been appointed for
that role. Health and Community Services Tasmania (HACSU) has brought action to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission (TIC) with a view to get a better deal for its members; but have still provided significant opportunity for the service to save money. The matter is currently adjourned pending further discussions, which were due to conclude by the end of February but haven’t yet started. A change of the uniform by Ambulance Tasmania without consultation has resulted in paramedics denying the changes. Members are passionate about keeping the word ‘Paramedic’ on their uniforms rather than ‘Ambulance’. The new uniforms, three years in the making, have been selected but now are being sent for chemical testing before they are rolled-out to try and minimise risks that have occurred in other services. A Work Value Appeal matter was concluded at the Supreme Court of Tasmania on 13 November 2014. All parties are still awaiting a decision from Justice Wood. It is likely that the matter will be returned to TIC. It is still unclear about what the future holds in terms of where AT sits in the new government structure. Management structure has been flattened already with the removal of at least two Directors. HACSU is still waiting for additional on‑road resources commitments. So far, it is not looking good with case load activity and response times all trending the wrong way compared to existing resources. HACSU encourages all Ambulance Service employees to follow our campaign, #Priority1 or www.facebook.com/Priority1HACSU
Victoria
THE 2015 AMBULANCE VICTORIA Enterprise Agreement 2015 has been finalised, and is currently out to a vote of members. The agreement delivers members a sign-on bonus of $3000 and includes three wage increases of 6 per cent, 3 per cent and 3 per cent over the next 24 months with an expiry date of 31 December 2016. The agreement also provides for a Paramedic Work Value Case to be heard in 2015 before a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission. All parties have commenced preparations for the case. After such a protracted campaign, members should feel very proud that continued on page 10
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NCAU ACTIVE
continued from page 10 this was achieved without any tradeoffs and that no cohort of workers was left behind. The Labor Government has established the Ambulance Performance and Policy Consultative Committee (APPCC). This forum is chaired by the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy, and includes representatives from the Department of Health and Ambulance Victoria CEO Tony Walker as well as staff representatives and union officials. The APPCC is focusing on the following three areas: Ambulance Call-taking and Dispatch; People and Culture and the Role Ambulance in the Hospital System. Emergency Services Telecommunication Authority (ESTA) Enterprise Bargaining negotiations have commenced, and the unions have presented their log of claims.
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Unfortunately the parties are not in a position to discuss financial claims, as ESTA’s log of claims is yet to be endorsed by government. The Ambulance Employees Association has a very strong negotiating team, and its members stood together to fight off the challenge to ESTA’s 12 hour shifts. Delegates from the private sector met with Department of Health representatives in early April to provide input into the non-emergency patient transport regulations that are currently under review.
South Australia Early this year, the SA Minister for Health Jack Snelling announced the planned provision of extra resources for SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) as part of the changes that are proposed in the government initiated ‘Transforming Health’ plan. This is a good start and there is no doubt that this plan has put ambulance delivery right at the forefront of the proposed changes; presenting challenges but also some great opportunities for the Ambulance Employees Association (AEA) of SA and its members. As the AEA traverses the long road to change, the union has set three principles as the foundation of any
agreement that might be reached. These are: • Any changes must not be detrimental to patient care and community coverage, on the contrary they should make things better. • Any changes must result in the elimination of ramping. • Any changes must not be detrimental to AEA members working conditions; on the contrary they should make things better. Prior to the formal announcement of the change process, the AEA met with government advisors to give a clear warning that the AEA intended holding a ‘stop work meeting’ so members could empower the AEA to fight SAAS, and anyone else, that seeks to reduce ambulance services to the community and attack our members’ hard-won conditions. As part of the consultation process, the AEA held a SA Health sponsored reps meeting on 4 March, which saw an excellent turn out. This was a great opportunity to exchange information. Senior SA Health Officials, including the CEO Davis Swan, and SAAS management attended, gave presentations and answered questions. The media turned up in droves. After 18 months in office, the CEO of SAAS announced his resignation and intention to return to Ireland. This gives everyone a chance to press the reset button to re-establish a healthy, consultative and collaborative relationship with SAAS at all levels. AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
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EMERGENCY CALL FOR AMBULANCE CULTURE By Klaus Pinkas TWU ACT Secretary
Living in the ACT provides many benefits – our living standards, income and education are some of the best in Australia. Our health and emergency care system is one we can all be proud of, with the highly skilled ambulance service providing the most advanced pre-hospital paramedicine of any jurisdiction in Australia. OUR OFFICERS TOP EVERY benchmark Australia-wide, including response times, patient satisfaction and patient outcomes. Canberra residents can be reassured that when they call Triple Zero, they will be connected to the most professional and highly skilled ambulance service in the country. It is difficult then to reconcile this recognition of the ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS) as the best in the country with the serious and systemic cultural problems in the service. As reported in the Canberra Times recently, the findings of the long-awaited cultural review of the ACT Ambulance
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Service are nothing short of damning. The review, commissioned in October 2013 and handed to government in March, identifies the ACTAS culture as being undermined by bullying, blame, distrust verging on paranoia, and poor, ad-hoc and erratic management. In a service where life and death decisions are made in every shift, this culture is not just toxic, it’s potentially lethal. Evidence from previous reviews into ambulance culture across Australia confirms that the ambulance industry suffers serious management culture problems, resulting in high levels of unresolved conflict within a dysfunctional AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
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working environment. With the expansion of the service we have seen examples of the types of behaviour found in NSW and other jurisdictions increasing over the past years here in the ACT. In other words, while the service has grown over the last five years from a small town operation to a large professional service, management practices, consistency in decision making processes and internal culture have, by and large, failed to adjust. Defining culture is not easy, however, an accepted definition is a pattern of shared basic assumptions that have been learned by a group as it solves a problem and that has worked well enough to be considered valid and therefore taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel in relation to those problems. Evidence from the ACTAS report and academic literature on this subject confirms that the concept of culture needs to be taken more seriously than it has in the past. We need to recognise and understand the deeply embedded shared unspoken assumptions of the various subcultures in the organisation. TWU paramedicine officers tell me every day how much they love their work, the joy of helping people and saving lives. However, work can become clouded by the indifference of some in senior management towards their employees, and their inability to foster a safe and healthy work environment. This needs to change right now. The review recommendations will not solve all problems for all people. They should however, deliver accountability. Firstly, the review recommends the establishment of a committee to oversee the implementation of the processes to be put in place, which workplace leaders will be a part of. The recommendations also include the implementation of a leadership framework. The framework should include provisions for the training and skill development of senior managers as well as mechanisms to measure the continual improvement in both the consistency and fairness of the decision making processes. I am pleased that the Minister for Emergency Services Joy Burch has endorsed these recommendations. The ACT Government needs to be congratulated for having the political courage to commission a report that told the entire story free from bias of vested interest. I know that paramedics across the rest of Australia are pushing for their governments to have the same courage and launch their own independent reviews. AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
ABOUT THE ACTAS CULTURAL REVIEW Why did we undertake the review? Evidence from previous reviews into ambulance culture confirms that the ambulance industry suffers serious management cultural problems resulting in high levels of unresolved conflict within a dysfunctional working environment. Work can become clouded by the indifference of some Ambulance managers towards their employees, and their inability to foster a safe and healthy work environment. This resulted in high levels of unresolved conflict within the service and a level of morale so low that it could not appear to get any worse. Why is this relevant to the ACTAS? The ACTAS has grown exponentially over a very short period of time and consequently, we have seen examples of the types of behaviour found in NSW and other Services increasing over the past years with many members’ complaints being ongoing and unresolved. Members have raised complaints that include allegations of bullying and harassment, abusive and intimidating behaviour including threats of physical violence, racial discrimination, gender discrimination, unsanctioned surveillance of work phones with the content used against third parties, failure to provide procedural fairness or natural justice in investigating allegations, failing to inform officers of threats made against them by members of the community, lack of transparency and process, inconsistent and arbitrary outcomes, and cronyism, sadly complaints have continued over the Review period. There are more complaints that have gone unresolved leaving many members disappointed and not trusting the system. I love working at the ACTAS and wasn’t aware of such complaints. As we have seen from academic literature of the Ambulance industry many officers are happy in their work and interactions with management it would be fair to comment that the complex grouping, layering and complexities that exist in the ACTAS sometimes work well, however not always. What can I do? Have a conversation with a colleague today. Ask them about their experiences with the grievance process in the ACTAS or whether they know someone that has been involved in an issue in the workplace. What was their experience? Were they happy with the process? Did they think the outcome was fair? A component of the review involved a mapping exercise of the ACTAS culture; a map is only as accurate as the input information. The academic literature and evidence from the ACTAS confirms that the concept of culture needs to be taken more seriously than it has in the past. We need to recognise and understand the deeply embedded shared unspoken assumptions of the various subcultures in the organisation.* How will the review solve the problems? A review will not solve all problems for all people but it will deliver accountability. For many years the ACTAS has suffered from a distinct lack of accountability, with people responsible for their actions however never accountable. Where can I get more information? A copy of the Committees report can be found at http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/Media/docs/081020councilreport-83758ed3d308-46ff-8a4d-0882822581fa-0.pdf *Read more about the tacit rules of workers and manager in ambulance culture at: Wankhade, P. (2012) Different cultures of management and their relationships with organisational performance evidence from the UK ambulance service, Public Money & Management. Vol. 32, No. 5. Pp. 381-388. Officers can now look forward to the next chapter in the ACTAS story and working with the Minister and the Commissioner to reset its culture. Most importantly, however long it takes to fix the ACTAS culture, members of the ACT community should rest assured that challenges past, and those ahead,
will never prevent our world leading officers from focussing each and every day on their patients’ health. As one of our members always says to me, there is nothing so wrong with the ambulance culture that it cannot be fixed by what is right in the ambulance culture.
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IN OUR HEARTS BLACK RIBBON DAY
In an emotional tribute to paramedics lost to suicide, Ambulance personnel joined together to support the In Our Hearts day in WA. BEGINNING AS A FACEBOOK GROUP by Paramedic Lyn Sinclair, it was started to help support staff after a number of suicides by personnel in a matter of weeks. “On the Facebook page, people can share their struggles,” she said. “We get to vent, and people tell me they feel better because they actually put it in writing. They get to see their own struggle, rather than just having it float around in their head.” Wearing black ribbons to support the cause, the In Our Hearts campaign aims to bring awareness of the stress and anxiety associated with Ambulance workers. “We had 2000 (ribbons) made and we sold them to raise awareness of not only post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide, but that people often suffer anxiety and depression within the ambulance service too”. “Not only from what they see and hear but also what happens at home, or with management – what happens in life really. To show we are real people. “So we chose one day per year, December 22nd, to remember those we couldn’t save,” Mrs Sinclair said. 1200 ribbons were sold in a matter of days, including to Paramedics in Victoria, QLD Paramedics and 150 ribbons were purchased by United Voice in the Northern Territory.
new charity Sirens of Silence, to Support Mental Health Awareness for Ambulance Personnel. The charity will use grants and money raised from ribbon sales, to provide funding for Paramedics who can’t afford private treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and suicide prevention. “We are applying for government funding – to support those people within our group to seek help, people who can’t afford to get post-traumatic stress
Suicide amongst paramedics is 10 per cent higher than the national average. A Mental Health Seminar was organised to mark the inaugural In Our Hearts day, with presentations from Road Trauma Support WA, clinical psychologists, Paramedics Australasia and a compelling story from the wife of a paramedic who was a victim of suicide in 2013. “It was the first time we were actually able to step out and go; we’re going to do something about this. We’re going to move forward without the organisation.” This year, the In Our Hearts Campaign will be formally recognised as part of the
disorder treatment, because it is a very expensive treatment. “A lot of people don’t want to go through work because they don’t want management to know that they are unwell. “So we want to be able to help people like that,” she said. There are big plans for the campaign this year with support coming from all around the world. “I’d love to make it worldwide; we’ve had interest from the UK, Abu Dhabi and Canada already.”
Search for Hearts of Heros on YouTube to view a special presentation aimed at promoting anxiety, depression, PTSD and suicide within the Ambulance Industry. http://bit.ly/1HCFQU3 The charity also aims to bring general awareness for Ambulance personnel and mental health, throughout the year. “I’ve said to people to wear the ribbon when you feel you’re having a struggle and you might just need a hug from somebody. Or you might need a work colleague to come up and say ‘are you ok?’ “Let’s bring awareness to the forefront. Let show people we are real and we do suffer.” The Sirens of Silence Charity and In Our Hearts campaign aim to Support Mental Health Awareness for Ambulance Personnel. They will be raising awareness of anxiety, depression, PTSD and suicide in all ambulance personnel throughout the country. To find out more search Sirens of Silence Charity on Facebook.
If you, or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
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AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
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OUR ‘SPIDEY SENSE’ Danny Hill Ambulance Employees Association (VIC)
RECENTLY, AMBULANCE EMPLOYEES Asociation Victoria members were asked the question ‘should Victorian paramedics be provided with stab proof vests?’. It became a very divisive debate with 80 voting yes and 55 voting no. While there was clear agreement on the fact that violence against paramedics has increased, the debate was about the best way to handle the threat. Recent data shows that the use of the drug ‘Ice’ has increased to dangerous levels in the community. The risk of aggression and violence to emergency services workers has been well documented including multiple cases of Ambulance Victoria paramedics being assaulted by Ice affected patients. Ambulance Victoria’s own data shows a 69 per cent increase over a five-year period in the number of reported physical and verbal attacks and threats, and the use of weapons. In October 2014, Ambulance Victoria issued an instruction to its employees AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
about the risk of wearing uniforms outside of work due to a heightened terror threat, and that emergency workers may be perceived as a potential target. These concerns also prompted the Australian Federal Police to issue a safety warning to police members to ‘remain vigilant and maintain ongoing situational awareness’ due to the potential for attacks. Anecdotally, almost every paramedic you speak to has their own disturbing story about a patient that calmly produced a knife in the back of an ambulance or they just suddenly snapped and assaulted the crew. Many paramedics have dealt with intoxicated patients who thought it was okay to push and shove them. Whether stab proof vests or full medieval armour are provided to paramedics, the most important factor in reducing risk to health and safety is to have policies and procedures in place that are always aimed at minimising risk. Paramedics must be fully supported in
exercising their judgment and discretion in reacting to a threat. If a crew retreats from a job or refuses to enter a scene because they feel threatened, they should not be issued with a ‘please explain’. Paramedics are trusted to use their own clinical judgement – ‘You’re the treating paramedic, it’s your call’. But often employers do not give paramedics the same trust when they make a decision based on safety. In Victoria, crews are often refused police back up when requested. Crews have been directed to drive past a potentially violent scene and have a look. Part of being a good paramedic is to develop that so called ‘Spidey Sense’, both clinical and situational. Part of being a good employer is to trust an employee’s judgement, and by far the best way to keep paramedics safe is to support them whenever make a judgement call about their own safety. Then hopefully they will continue to do just that.
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AUSTRALIAN PARAMEDICS STREETS AHEAD OF US COUNTERPARTS A recent trip to the USA to compete in a world paramedic competition proved the ideal opportunity to find out exactly how the US system compares to Queensland’s. By Simon Houstoun, Queensland Paramedic
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AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
FOLLOWING OUR TEAMS’ SUCCESS IN the Ferno Australian Simulation Challenge late last year, we were invited to compete in the JEMS Games in Baltimore. I captained the team, which included Casey James, Lawrence Odlin and Kroy Day. We competed against 26 teams from several countries including New Zealand, London, Australia and Finland. The competition was intense and challenging and provided an opportunity for us to showcase our skills against some of the best emergency services professionals in the world. However, the inclusion of several fire service skills such as rope usage, ladder climbing and harness work proved quite difficult and was clearly an area the American teams were a lot more familiar with. The competition explored team performance, clinical excellence and communications skills by putting participants through a simulation of an emergency situation. We had to deal with the aftermath of a helicopter crash, which proved extremely challenging. With several injuries to handle, the competing teams had to assess the injuries, prioritise and successfully attend to each injury. AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
The New York Fire Department (FDNY) took the title of JEMS Games 2015 winners. Although we didn’t make the final, team United Voice did top the international teams, beating the winners of the Ferno Simulation Challenge, Team Auckland University. The competition also gave us an opportunity to network and delve into the ambulance industry in the US. We discovered that one area where the US is most certainly not leading the way is in relation to their ambulance service. After talking to our counterparts stateside, we were amazed at how different the profession is on that side of the world. In terms of qualifications, workplace conditions and rights and patient care, Australia is definitely streets ahead. The US industry is very poorly unionised, so much so that they were quite astonished to hear that a union had sponsored our team to assist with professional development and industry progression. Unfortunately the lack of a strong union presence means very poor outcomes for US paramedics. Their base wage is quite low in some cases just $9 an hour with many paramedics forced to work several jobs to make ends meet. The education system is not as advanced
as here in Australia with a degree program not uniformly accepted or required. While there does not seem to be a universal standard of care and in some cases the level of service provided to a patient may be as little as basic first aid or an equivalent of intensive care interventions. This was quite evident during the competition as the Queensland team’s knowledge and clinical decision-making was far superior. National registration is not compulsory for employment, which is in direct contrast to the registration system we are working towards here in Australia to guarantee a minimum standard of paramedic care. There is also a lack of key workplace health and safety policies within the USA such as fatigue management. Paramedics continue to work 24 hour shifts in some areas and we even got confirmation that the stories of crews being found asleep in their ambulance units with the lights and sirens on are most certainly true. It was quite astonishing to learn about the shortcomings in the US system and how it pales in comparison to our own service in Australia. However it was heartening to know that we have a far superior and professional ambulance service.
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WA SECURES NEW ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT With negotiations ongoing since March 2014, West Australian paramedics have now finally struck a new four-year deal with St John Ambulance WA. THE EBA HAS SOME IMPORTANT NEW benefits including; the minimum break between shifts increasing from 8 to 9.5 hours (from July 2017), volunteers are now guaranteed to receive driver training within three months and a strengthened Fatigue Management Clause. For paramedics working in the north west of Australia, including the Kimberly and Pilbara, the new deal also secures their Proximity Allowance until 2017, up to an extra $32,500 over the next three years, to help with the high cost of living in the region. As part of the new deal, pay has been increased in two ways. An overall eight per cent increase over four years, plus an additional 5.4 per cent on night shifts, over four years. AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
This means that by 2017 a level 1 ambulance paramedic working night shifts will be on $101,544.85 – the best in the country. United Voice WA Assistant Secretary Pat O’Donnell said it has been a long road for negotiations. “The delegates on the bargaining committee fought hard and won; the introduction of a night shift payment, an increase to the minimum break between shifts and securing the Proximity Allowance for their colleagues in the north west,” he said. “The committee pushed hard to achieve the minimum 9.5 hour break between shifts especially considering St John’s roster changes did not address
members’ concerns regarding fatigue and extension overtime. “New rosters will be introduced from July 2017, meaning day trucks will work 12 hour shifts and the 2,2,4 roster will change to an 11 hour day shift and 13 hour night shift.” Now negotiations are over, Mr O’Donnell said paramedics are moving forward with other important issues such as mental health and wellbeing measures for ambulance staff. “The bargaining committee gained some very important clauses and they were dedicated to getting the best outcomes for paramedics; their hard work means they have a secure EBA until 2017,” Mr O’Donnell said.
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HEADER
RESPONSE TIMES AT CRITICAL POINT Critical emergency response times are blowing out in NSW as the state government keeps a chokehold on paramedic numbers.
(L-R) Brett George, HSU Secretary Gerard Hayes, Danny Rickwood, Steve Fraser, Andrew Rengger, Bruce Waters, Chris Davies, Greg Bruce.
THE STATE’S AMBULANCE SERVICE has added a lone additional shift, at holiday centre Bundeena on Sydney’s southern outskirts, to deal with an additional 30,000 callouts a year. The magnitude of the workload increase was revealed when the NSW Ambulance Service released workload key stats to the Health Service Union late last year, on the recommendation of the state’s Industrial Relations Commission. The workload and response time numbers graphically illustrate the argument paramedics have been running for years. They show Sydney ambulance crews are attending 28,761 more calls a year than they did in 2009/2010. They also reveal response times are steadily blowing out, whether measured by the top 50 per cent, or the top 90 per cent of response times. The latter figure has increased by nearly one and a half minutes over the fouryear period. Mid north coast paramedic and NSW HSU Councillor Steve Fraser says the data is unsurprising. AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
“We knew the situation was bad,” he said. “This just proves how bad. “It is significant because, when lives are on the line, time is vital. That’s a basic fact. “If we can get to many of the incidents we attend in good time we can make a real difference but it is all time critical.” The HSU Ambulance Division has been attempting to engage the state’s Coalition Government on the importance of adequate staff levels, as well as putting its case to the public. It has mounted a conservative staffing argument based on the Ambulance Service’s own assessment of the numbers it would need to roster efficiently. In the absence of obvious Coalition interest, ALP leader Luke Foley moved to fill the void with an election campaign promise to deliver an additional 500 Ambulance Service positions over a fouryear period. The Opposition budgeted $46 million to meet the commitment and an additional $2.1 million for new ambulances and hightech equipment.
HSU branch secretary Gerard Hayes called the ALP position a ‘potential gamechanger’ and challenged Premier Mike Baird to climb on board. He said the people of NSW deserved world-class emergency services whoever was calling the shots in state parliament. “Paramedics deliver frontline health, but in this state, they are stretched to breaking point,” Mr Hayes warned. “They are frustrated, over-worked and under-resourced. “Response times mean lives and the only way to bring response times down is to put the necessary crews on the road.” Meanwhile, as the staffing argument bounced around, an Illawarra paramedic has revealed that after attending the most confronting suicide of his 20-year career, the service instructed him to turn around and put in an immediate overtime shift. He was adamant there should have been some form of counselling or support. The HSU calls that approach to stress management ‘dated and inappropriate’ and says it is a direct result of the service’s staffing crisis.
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NEW VOICE FOR QLD PARAMEDICS THERE WERE DOUBLE THE celebrations for ambulance officers after the recent state election in Queensland. Not only was a Labor Government elected, replacing the anti-worker Newman regime, but two working paramedics are now new members of Parliament. Craig Crawford, MP for Barron River, and Aaron Harper, MP for Thuringowa, are also former United Voice ambulance state councillors. Never before has there been such a strong voice for ambulance officers in Queensland Parliament with the added benefits that both former state councillors have a long history of working hard for their fellow union members. “Without a shadow of a doubt, my experience as a United Voice delegate contributed to my decision to run for State Parliament,” said Mr Crawford. Mr Harper agrees and added that the cuts to the health service in Queensland, particularly in his home town of Townsville, prompted him to take action. “I saw first-hand the devastating impact cuts to frontline services were having in Townsville,” he said. “I knew we couldn’t sit back and endure another three years of Campbell Newman and I also knew I had to put my hand up and make a difference.” Mr Crawford and Mr Harper have been part of many United Voice campaigns to get better rights and conditions for ambulance officers. Mr Crawford was part of an expert group set up by the previous Labor Government to combat the huge problem of ramping.
(L-R) Former United Voice state councillors Aaron Harper (left) and Craig Crawford (right) and are now elected members of the Queensland parliament. Pictured with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (centre).
“Without a shadow of a doubt, my experience as a United Voice delegate contributed to my decision to run for State Parliament. – Craig Crawford.
”
Department Access Initiative, resolved to take a whole of hospital approach to tackle the ramping problem. The recommendations were implemented in January 2013 and the instances of ramping decreased significantly, but started to blow out again in the past eight months. That’s why it became one of the key rallying points in United Voice’s Code One campaign to fix ambulance crisis in Queensland. Mr Harper was also heavily involved in the campaign to fix ramping but it’s his
“Now that I am a Member of Parliament, I will do
all I can to make sure ambulance officers are treated with the respect and recognition they deserve. – Aaron Harper
”
“Back three or four years ago ramping was out of control,” he said. “We were stuck outside hospitals for five, six hours and there just seemed to be no solution in place. Together with other United Voice ambulance members we lobbied the government to fix the crisis and thankfully I had the opportunity to be involved in this process.” Expert group, the Metropolitan Emergency AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
achievements at a local level which he is particularly proud of. He remembers his first union campaign in 1992 when he fought to update paramedics’ old and dated equipment and said there’s always room for improvement. “We always need more staff, more resources, especially here in Townsville, which is one of the busiest areas in the state so it’s important to campaign and fight so we can do the job to the best of our ability,” he said.
More recently, both paramedics have played a role in the Code One campaign to revive Queensland Ambulance Service. This campaign calls on the government to take action to address the crisis in the service by allocating more staff, fixing the fatigue crisis, not privatising the patient transport service and communications. Mr Crawford and Mr Harper are determined to be a voice for not only their local communities but also their former profession. “I’ve always fought hard to ensure ambulance officers rights and conditions are protected,” Mr Crawford said. “This will not stop now that I am no longer a paramedic. As a union delegate I was part of bringing about some real change to the industry. Now I am an MP, I will continue to be that voice for all ambulance officers.” said Craig. Echoing these sentiments, Mr Harper made a promise to continue advocating on behalf of ambulance officers. “After all, it was my experience as a paramedic and union delegate which prompted me to run for election,” he said. “Now that I am a Member of Parliament, I will do all I can to make sure ambulance officers are treated with the respect and recognition they deserve.”
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CONTACTS
Australian Capital Territory Steve Mitchell E: TWUAmbulance@act.twu.com.au P: 02 6280 9353
New South Wales Greg Bruce E: GBruce@ambulance.nsw.gov.au P: 0408 020 609
Northern Territory Erina Early E: erina.early@unitedvoice.org.au P: 0400 030 834
Queensland Kroy Day kroy.day@unitedvoice.org.au
South Australia Phil Palmer and Wayne Carty E: info@aeasa.com.au P: 08 8340 3511
Tasmania Tim Jacobson E: tim@hacsutas.net.au P: 1300 880 032
Victoria Steve McGhie E: steve.mcghie@unitedvoice.org.au P: 03 9235 7661
Western Australia Emmet Molloy E: emmet.molloy@unitedvoice.org.au P: 08 9388 5400
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AMBULANCE ACTIVE AUTUMN 2015
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