10 SPRING 2015
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REGULARS From the President 05 States of Activity 10 Contacts 28
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 2 SPRING 2015
Ambulance Active Official Publication of National Council of Ambulance Unions
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FEATURES 06 National Registration update takes a practical look 08 Jen at unions Register for paramedics 09 National a step closer after COAG 14 Conference in our capital city brings members 16 Conference closer together Conference keynote 18 Annual speech Traumatic Stress and 25 Post Ambulance Officers 26 Fringe Benefit Tax changes
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14 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.
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PRESIDENT
STEVE McGHIE, PRESIDENT, NCAU
the PRESIDENT IT HAS BEEN A BUSY SIX MONTHS since the last edition of Ambulance Active. The team in Canberra put in a considerable amount of time and effort into preparing for our national conference, and I thank Steve Mitchell in particular for putting together a great line-up of key speakers who kept the work we are doing and achievements we are striving for at the top of the agenda. We were very pleased with the attendance at this year’s conference in Canberra. More than 100 delegates from around the country participated in conversation and learnings about statebased issues and similarities that we are all facing around professional registration, and a number of industrial issues. Our national conference continues to go from strength to strength and is an important mechanism for us to network and grow as a council of unions representing ambulance officers. More about the conference can be found on page 14-21 of this publication, and information about the 2016 conference will be announced in the new year. Following the conference, the National Council of Ambulance Unions held its Annual General Meeting where the executive was voted in. Our executive team remains constant with just one change. I would like to thank Kroy Day for his contribution
AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
“As we head into the festive season, I would like to wish all of our members and their families a safe and Merry Christmas.
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over the past 12 months, and welcome Michael Formica (QLD). At this point I would also like to thank the returning executives – Erina Early (NT), Phil Palmer (SA), Steve Mitchell (ACT) and Greg Bruce (NSW) – for their work this year, and look forward to more challenges and wins in 2016. These union leaders, and their teams, continue to protect our members’ conditions, in particular the attack on shift penalties. The question needs to be answered … if Sunday shift penalties are reduced or removed just how many paramedics want to work on Sundays? Shift penalties make up between 27 and 37 per cent of paramedic wages. Any attack on those is simply attacking paramedic’s livelihood. In terms of gaining professional registration for paramedics, we have started to garner support from a number of politicians. I would like to thank Queensland Senator Glenn Lazarus for securing the support of the Australian Senate
to establish a Senate Inquiry into the establishment of a national registration system for Australian paramedics. Senator Lazarus took it upon himself to conduct extensive consultations with paramedics across Queensland, and found national registration was one of the most important issues facing the sector. He took the view that national registration is essential for paramedics, promised paramedics that he would take the issue on board and do whatever he could to assist them, and this is a great first step in delivering on that promise. Soon after this announcement was made, the COAG Health Council, chaired by SA Minister for Health The Hon Jack Snelling, decided that working towards establishing registration for the profession would enhance public safety and better protect paramedics. We welcome this decision and you can read more about it on page 9 of this edition of Ambulance Active. As we head into the festive season, I would like to wish all of our members and their families a safe and Merry Christmas.
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HEADER REGISTRATION NATIONAL
NATIONAL REGISTRATION UPDATE By Jim Arneman NCAU Project Officer
ON AUGUST 7 2015, THE AUSTRALIAN health ministers met as the COAG Health Council to discuss a number of issues, including national registration of paramedics. It was widely hoped that a final decision would be made on the inclusion of paramedics in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) after a considerable period of consultation and additional processes had been worked through. Disappointingly, final agreement has still not been reached on including paramedics within the NRAS. The major stumbling block at this time is the NSW Baird Liberal government, which is steadfastly opposing the inclusion of paramedics in the national scheme. The NSW government has yet to provide a comprehensive case as to why it is out of step with every other state and territory in the Commonwealth. The major rationale for its opposition at this point is that it believes paramedics are already adequately regulated. An additional difficulty is that the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OPBR), a unit within the Federal Department of Finance and Deregulation, is asserting that while it has accepted there is a considerable risk attached to paramedic practice, it has not been able to determine that there have been actual cases
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of harm as a result of the lack of regulation of paramedics nationally. The NCAU believes that this is a circular argument. The very organisations that would provide evidence of paramedic practice where there has been adverse outcomes are the jurisdiction based employers, many of whom have been opposed to national registration throughout this process. It would be reasonable to assume that many feel uncomfortable about genuinely independent scrutiny of practices that may occur in their jurisdictions and have not provided evidence on this basis. Indeed, anecdotally there have been numerous cases of paramedic practice where the harm has been caused reported to NCAU’s constituent unions. In addition, several well-known cases where paramedics have been disciplined, given the opportunity to resign and then resurfaced to work in another jurisdiction have also occurred.
NCAU understands that these ministers and several of their state and territory counterparts are now seeking legal opinion as to whether it is feasible to initiate a national registration scheme for paramedics that excludes the recalcitrant NSW jurisdiction. NCAU will keep members updated on progress. A further positive note was the announcement, at the time of the NCAU National Conference in August, by Senator Glenn Lazarus that he had successfully moved that an Australian Federal Senate enquiry be held into why paramedic registration is not proceeding at a national level. NCAU understands that this enquiry is due to report by 30 June 2016. We look forward to working with Senator Lazarus to ensure that all relevant parties are called to give evidence. NCAU will make a formal submission to this enquiry when the terms of reference are announced.
“ We believe that the Australian Health
Workforce Ministerial Council members are compromising public safety by not progressing the national registration of paramedics.
”
In the NCAU’s opinion, this underlines the need for regulation and registration that is transparent, nationally based and provides checks and balances that are not currently evident in the employer-based system of regulation. This has first and foremost always been a matter of public safety for the NCAU and its members. We believe that the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council members are compromising public safety by not progressing the national registration of paramedics. On a positive note, health ministers from Queensland and Victoria have publicly expressed their frustration with the lack of progress towards national registration of paramedics.
In conclusion, it is worth adding that the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council issued a communiqué after the August meeting in Darwin, outlining the findings of an independent review that has recently held into the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) for Health Professions. It interesting that the ministers acknowledged the significant achievements highlighted by the NRAS review. These included the observations that: • The community can have confidence that health professionals provide treatment and care in Australia that meets a national standard based on safe practice. AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
HEADER NATIONAL REGISTRATION
Australian paramedics want professional recognition.
• There is now increased mobility for health professionals working in Australia after the removal of the necessity for them to be separately registered in each jurisdiction. • There is now improvement and protection to the health system as health practitioners found to have committed misconduct can now no longer practise undetected in other states or territories.
• There is now significant improvement in the available information on health workforce information and planning due to the availability of improved and accurate data on each of the 14 professions operating within the NRAS. The NCAU is disappointed that these significant achievements have yet to be extended to paramedics practising across our nation. It is regrettable that the
community cannot yet have confidence that paramedics providing treatment and care in Australia meet national standards based on safe practice. It is regrettable that the community cannot be confident that there is improved protection to the health system due to the fact that paramedics found to have committed misconduct can now no longer practice undetected in other states or territories. Most disappointingly for the NCAU and its constituent unions is that interstate and territory job mobility is still very difficult, due to the lack of a consistent and transparent set of national registration standards. While this issue has now been progressing over a significant period of time, the NCAU is confident that we are heading towards the conclusion of this process. We will continue to advocate on behalf of members to ensure that national registration and professional recognition is achieved for paramedics. Members will be apprised of any further developments as they occur. For further information contact: Jim Arneman NCAU Project Officer 0457 268 749 Jim.Arneman@act.gov.au
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AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
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JEN TAKES A PRACTICAL LOOK AT UNIONS Submitted by United Voice Queensland
CAIRNS AMBULANCE OFFICER JEN Miran has a new appreciation for the role of unions in the workplace after travelling to Brisbane for two weeks to take part in the Anna Stewart Memorial Project. Jen spent a week on the road with organisers from her union United Voice and a week with the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU). “It’s been a great experience to get a behind-the-scenes view of the work that United Voice is doing not only in the ambulance sector but in other industries as well,” Jen said.
Jen Miran at Arnott’s in Brisbane.
“The RTBU, a union which deals with a more male-dominated workforce, has allowed me to see the balances needed to represent the minority group of female employees while providing a continued strong service to their male workforce. “Unions are without a doubt the lifelines to fair work practice in Australia. “They are constantly working in the background to give their members a fair and safe environment in which to work and provide a living.” Jen’s experience involved visiting workplaces in the union’s Early Childhood Education and Care, Manufacturing and Aged Care sectors. Among these was a visit to Arnott’s Australia.
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Queensland Ambulance Officer Jen Miran took part in the two-week Anna Stewart Memorial Project to learn more about the work of unions.
The Anna Stewart Memorial Project was conceived as an annual two‑week ‘on the job’ training program for women unionists, and is named after leading unionist and former journalist Anna Stewart.
It was designed to give participants unique levels of access to union organisations, and to develop their awareness of the ways in which unions can work to redress the discrimination and exploitation of women workers in Australia. AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
and/or witnessed a suicide.
StandBy supports clients by providing: - Face to face or telephone interventions - Follow upREGISTER contact at intervals overPARAMEDICS the next 12 months NATIONAL FOR - Referral to local organisations for ongoing support and pract
A STEP CLOSER AFTER COAG
Under the law, only someone who has would operate? enhance public safety and better StandBy A Where nationaldoes register obtained the appropriate qualifications protect paramedics. and skills can use theAustralia. title ‘paramedic’. Stan “Paramedics provide greater of StandBy Response Service haslevels sites 16 across forThe paramedics is A $30,000 fine applies for anyone caught lifesaving care that are complex and can using the title illegally. be highly invasive, so there available in regions where there isis aagreater StandBy site. Regions and 24/ one step closer “Today’s decision is another step responsibility to ensure the public can trust in ensuring better patient safety in the person treating them is fully qualified following a meeting and accredited,” Mr Snelling said. South Australia and across the nation,” Mr Snelling said. Mr Snelling said the register would between health The ministers agreed that any work allow the states and territories to share would need to come back to the Australian information – in the event a paramedic ministers in Adelaide applied to work interstate. Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) for consideration. “That is essential. It means all states and in early November. territories will have access to background This would include the consideration of FEDERAL, STATE AND TERRITORY Health Ministers met at the COAG Health Council, chaired by SA Minister for Health The Hon Jack Snelling, to discuss a range of national health issues. Among the issues discussed were options for national registration of the paramedic profession. Minister Snelling said the decision to work towards establishing the register
information that may impact on the registration of a paramedic or the safety of the public. “It also means that our highly skilled and trained paramedics can be assured their colleagues are equally qualified,” Mr Snelling said. The move towards establishing a national register comes after South Australia last year introduced legislation that protected the title of ‘paramedic’.
implementation of the recommendations of the National Registration Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), resolution of the scope of the paramedic workforce, and the development of vocational as well as tertiary pathways. At the meeting, NSW decided to reserve its right to participate. The Commonwealth dissented from the decisions, as it is not StandBy Response Servic consistent with the principles of the NRAS as a national regulatory reform.
StandBy Response Service
The StandBy Response Service (a program of United Syne postvention program that provides coordinated support for and/or witnessed a suicide.
StandBy Response Service
StandBy Response Service StandBy supports clients by providing: -
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Where does StandBy operate?
The StandBy Response Service has sites 16 across Austra The StandBy Response Service (a program of United Synergies Ltd) is a community available in regions where there is a StandBy site. Regions The StandBy Response Service (a program of United Synergies Ltd) is a community ba based postvention program that provides coordinated support for people bereaved by postvention program that provides coordinated support for people bereaved by suicide suicide and/or witnessed a suicide. and/or witnessed a suicide.
The StandBy Response Service (a program of United Synergies Ltd) is a comm StandBycoordinated supports clients by providing: postvention program that provides support for people bereaved by Face to face or telephone interventions - Face to face or telephone interventions - Follow up contact at intervals over the next 12 months Follow up contact at intervals the next 12 months and/or witnessed a over suicide.
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does StandBy operate? Where does StandBy operate? Need more information? StandBy supports clients byWhere providing: The StandBy Response Service has sites 16 across Australia. StandBy support is only
The StandBy Response Service has 16 sites acrossavailable Australia. StandBy support in regions where there isisaonly StandBy site. Regions and 24/7 phone numbers: - Face to face or telephone available in regions where there is a StandBy site. Regionsinterventions and 24/7 phone numbers:
If you have any questions about StandBy or require clarification of a - contact Follow up at intervals overteam the next months please thecontact national StandBy on12(07) 5442 4277 or em Need more information? Referral to local organisations for ongoing support and practical help If you have any questions about StandBy or require clarification of a specific StandBy standbynational@unitedsynergies.com.au region, please contact the National StandBy team on (07) 5442 4277 or email:
Need more information? If you have any questions about StandBy or require clarific please contact the national StandBy team on (07) 5442 427 standbynational@unitedsynergies.com.au
standbynational@unitedsynergies.com.au
United Synergies gratefully acknowledges the fundin
Where does StandBy operate? United Synergies gratefully acknowledges the funding The StandBy Response Service has sites 16 across Australia. StandByprovided suppor available in regions where there is a StandBy site. Regions and 24/7 phone num United Synergies gratefully acknowledges the funding provided by the Australian Government
AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
Need more information? If you have any questions about StandBy or require clarification of a specific 09 StandBy re
NCAU ACTIVE
Northern Territory ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT United Voice Northern Territory has been negotiating its Enterprise Agreement (EA) for more than 28 months. The union has been in and out of the Fair Work Commission for partial work bans, assistance for mediation with negotiations, and protected action. The sticking point for negotiations to move forward is back pay of wage increases and roster allowance back pay. St John Ambulance (SJA) has agreed to pay back pay of roster allowance but not until the EA is signed off. SJA has also offered $2,000 all-in-one back pay but the members find this offer insulting. The union advised SJA that if they offered $3,000 back pay the members may consider accepting the EA offer. The union canvassed members on the $3,000 back pay offer, which was accepted by the majority. However SJA decided it could not afford it and we are now at an impasse. Members are adamant they do not want to accept the $2,000 offer but it has been difficult for the union to retain the engagement of members in the action such as wearing t-shirts and writing on ambulances. We have a lot of members leaving SJA who want the EA signed-off so they can receive the back payments. We have a great density of membership but these negotiations are impacting the members financially. The union does not want to give up and would appreciate any ideas or suggestions to get members active and engaged again.
ASSAULTS ON PARAMEDICS Over the last year, the physical assaults on paramedics have increased. Members have been tirelessly requesting that SJA provide training in handling difficult and violent patients or scenarios, but have been refused. After a recent assault in Alice Springs, SJA advised ABC News that they will be providing training to paramedics.
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No paramedic was advised of this initiative, which was released to the media first. SJA told the media that the training would be provided by senior or ‘train the trainer’ paramedics. The union does not believe this to be good enough. We need to ensure that experts and professionals within this field such as provide the training afforded to the police.
TWO-STRETCHER AMBULANCES All nine 24 hour ambulances across the Northern Territory have two stretchers. In fact, out of the entire fleet, only the one ‘concept’ ambulance and the 4X4 troopie ambulances are single stretcher vans. This creates all sorts of grey areas in regards to patient confidentiality, cross contamination and paramedic safety. This is still an issue among our membership and has been an ongoing discussion of contention with management. Northern Territory is one of the only ambulance services in the country that still uses two stretcher ambulances as normal practice.
MEDIA After months of research and discussions with delegates, NT News recently published a special feature on St John Ambulance and how they treat their paramedics, patient transport and emergency medical dispatchers. The information provided to NT News was collated over several months. The article exposed the following issues: • Bullying from management • Breach of government service agreement • SJA refusing to send paramedics on Code Ones to avoid overtime before and after shifts • SJA not filling crews to save overtime • Not providing breaks for EMDs • The union has dealt with 281 grievances from a total number of 114 paramedics, EMDs and patient transport officers this year.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCHERS Along with NT paramedics, Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) are also in industrial action and fighting to retain their existing conditions. The union has almost had a win though with the offer of the
long awaited Certificate III in Ambulance Communications (call taking). EMDs were more than a little enthusiastic to finally become qualified in their profession. However, there is a down side. The course cannot be assessed, as no one with a TAE is qualified to an appropriate level within the organisation for this Certificate III. The EMDs of the territory have been asking for this course, as well as the Certificate IV in Ambulance Communications (Dispatch), for well over five years. It would seem that we would be waiting longer and continue to be the only ambulance dispatchers in Australia without formal training.
Queensland IT’S BEEN A BIG FEW MONTHS FOR Queensland ambulance officers, as their Code One campaign has chalked up some wins and helped forge a new path for solving ongoing industry issues. A better working relationship with State Government has opened the door for genuine consultation between United Voice and the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), which has led to some great steps forward for the ambulance profession. The State Government has provided a guarantee there will be no privatisation of QAS patient transfer and communications, providing a much-needed safety net to Patient Transport Officers (PTOs) and Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs). The Government has also offered a guarantee of 75 new ambulance officers and 150 new vehicles. While the numbers fall far short of the 600 new ambulance officers over three years that the Code One campaign is pushing for, it’s a step in the right direction. In early August, Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick announced the reintroduction of the Patient Access and Flow Directive, a part of the Metropolitan Emergency Department Access Initiative (MEDAI). United Voice has called consistently for the reintroduction of MEDAI as ramping continues to be a problem statewide. There’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure the directive is being followed on the ground, which we need to happen to really see improvements for ambulance officers on the ground. AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
NCAU ACTIVE
Working groups formed to address meal management and fatigue have been led by United Voice delegates, allowing members to really drive initiatives that solve ongoing issues in these areas. Again, there is work to be done but great progress has been made. A review of the lactation policy for nursing ambulance officers has led to the development of new procedures, soon to be rolled out on the ground. United Voice welcomed Emergency Medical Dispatcher Mindy Thomas and Patient Transfer Officer Vicki Mian to the State Council, and both have been working hard to ensure their colleagues are well represented in the union’s decision-making process. In other recent wins, ambulance officers can now breathe easier after the reinstatement of their industrial rights including industrial leave. Following meetings with several United Voice Queensland delegates, Senator Glenn Lazarus announced a Senate Inquiry into paramedic registration – another one of the key Code One asks. Finally, United Voice has been officially recognised again as the only union representing ambulance officers. The union has also been invited back to inductions, providing a welcome opportunity to speak with new ambulance officers starting out in their careers. There’s confidence that will help the union build on the increased rate of member activism and delegate development already evident on the ground.
Victoria AMBULANCE VICTORIA The Code Red Enterprise Agreement has been certified by the Fair Work Commission and delivered members wage increases of 6 per cent as of 01 January 2015, 3 per cent on 01 July 2015 with a further 3 per cent due on 01 July 2016 with an expiry date of 31 December 2016. This was achieved without any trade-offs. United Voice Victoria has started preparations for the Work Value Arbitration, which will be heard before a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission led by Senior Deputy President Acton. We hope to have hearings commence in November 2015. The union and Ambulance Victoria have commenced discussions regarding the clinical and pharmacological changes for underpinning qualifications of ALS, MICA and MICA Flight. A decision before the end of the year would be an excellent outcome for members, and is much deserved. AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
AMBULANCE PERFORMANCE AND POLICY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE A group of United Voice representatives and members, along with State Government and Ambulance Victoria, have been busy with the Ambulance Performance and Policy Consultative Committee (APPCC) Ministerial Working Group this year. The group has been split into three working groups examining the following: • Ambulance and the Health Service • Ambulance Dispatch and Call Taking • Ambulance People and Culture The Committee has $60 million to spend on additional ambulance resources. We look forward to reading the Committee’s report due at the end of the year.
EMERGENCY SERVICES TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY This year saw the rejuvenation of the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) membership led by the recruitment of three brilliant delegates: Hakan, Marisa and Daniel. The union has been bargaining with ESTA since January this year and is currently in the Fair Work Commission for conciliation. The current wage is unacceptable as it involved trading off hard fought for entitlements and conditions of employment such as uniform and time in lieu. Through the consultative committee we have achieved the creation of leave policies for the first time as well as the introduction of a Peer Support Program.
NON-EMERGENCY PATIENT TRANSPORT SECTOR This year has seen the review of the nonemergency patient transport regulations (NEPT), which will extend the scope of practice of our members in the sector. For the first time, our NEPT delegates have been consulted about the regulations and their industry by government. The NEPT sector is only going to continue to grow in Victoria with Ambulance Victoria looking to divert an additional 100,000 jobs to NEPT per year. The Victorian State Government has launched an enquiry into long service leave. This is a real issue in the NEPT sector in Victoria with 88 per cent of our members employed in the sector never having the opportunity to access long service leave. This is due, in part, to 36 per cent of the industry being casual. We are seeking the establishment of a long service leave portability fund for the NEPT sector.
Western Australia IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS THERE HAVE been five reported suicides of West Australian paramedics, including two volunteers. These suicides brought a very public spotlight on St John Ambulance (SJA) in WA. As first responders, we are inherently exposed to traumatic incidents throughout our careers, as well as usual workplace stressors such as fatigue, physical exertion and interpersonal conflict.
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NCAU ACTIVE
We voiced concern with the failure of SJA to prepare and support the health and wellbeing of its current and former workforce, and continue to be frustrated with SJA’s attitude towards this important issue. While some members have reported a positive experience with the support services, the majority of feedback is that SJA is unsupportive, disinterested and inadequate when it comes to mental health. There has been significant public interest and members demanding change such as SJA to engage in discussions to improve support mechanisms for PTSD and mental health in the workplace. Currently there are three major reviews involving WA paramedics: 1. Department of Health; Chief Psychiatrist Review of Paramedic and Volunteer Suspected Suicides (commenced April 2015) This review will examine: • Interviews with appropriate third parties, which may include surviving family members or work colleagues, among others • The ambulance case history of each first responder, • Examination of SJA policies or programs, • Health records. 2. Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health (University of Melbourne): Phoenix Review This review will examine: • The psychological risks that exist for paramedics, • The current supports and systems SJA has to manage psychological wellbeing, • The accessibility and effectiveness of the supports and systems, including the uptake of services offered. 3. Independent Oversight Panel headed by Former Director General WA Health Department and current Chairman of the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention Dr Neale Fong; Former Minister for Health and current Chair of Rural Health Workforce Australia The Hon Ian Taylor; and Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Adelaide, Professor Alexander McFarlane. The Independent Oversight Panel will explore: • Past and recent deaths of paramedics including suicides and the management of personnel affected by work-related stresses and suicide, • The management of psychological risks in the workplace, • Workplace culture and grievance processes, including any issues of bullying and harassment. The panel will also make recommendations regarding improvements and best practices, as identified by the Chief Psychiatrist and Phoenix reviews.
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As part of the Independent Oversight Panel, United Voice made 23 recommendations for change in a private submission. The union committee also had a private hearing with the panel to talk to the recommendations.
CONTINUING WORK United Voice WA is advocating for significant improvements to organisational health and wellbeing strategies and the workplace culture. It is disappointing that it took as long as it did for St John Ambulance (SJA) to establish a review into the health and wellbeing of its workforce, but strategies and major reviews are now in place. The Independent Oversight Panel will hand down its recommendations by December. It is at this stage the membership will have to push SJA to implement these recommendations.
New South Wales THE AMBULANCE DIVISION OF THE Health Services Union (ADHSU) has taken a different approach to issue resolution and shifted from reactionary lodging in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) to members being active in campaigns around an issue. The IRC is not a framework where we will necessarily improve the lot of our members, in a general sense, if we run big cases and the like we have the potential to do this.
UNREASONABLE DISTANCE This is a particular problem in rural areas where fluid deployments – where paramedics reporting at one station are sent to work at another – are used. This is in response to a staff shortage at the receiving station with no thought to bringing in another paramedic on overtime. We say and maintain that distances over one hour are unreasonable. Members were advised to quote Section 84 of the Work Health Safety Act, which espouses a right to refuse based on the directive being unsafe. NSW Ambulance took the union to the IRC on the opinion that we were engaging in industrial action. At this hearing, the one hour timeframe was found to be irrelevant and that any occurrence of a fluid deployment was subject to a review by the paramedic being directed to deploy in this manner.
of paramedics and said they should ‘not be pushed from pillar to post’, he effectively sided with management. This campaign has shifted to the media with membership activity, namely sending in photos of ambulance bays across different hospitals that are experiencing bed block. The media has picked up the story in both metropolitan and regional areas. The State Government has had to defend itself, going to the point of attacking the HSU in parliament by saying bed block was just a union scare campaign.
SYDNEY DEPLOYMENT DISPUTE Staffing across NSW Ambulance has not kept up with growth in demand, and as a consequence paramedics have never been more stretched. Paramedics respond to an extra 30,000 jobs per annum and the growth in numbers has not kept pace in any sense. In five years, there has only been an extra 50 hours a week at an outlying metro station. (Paramedic Resource Network – SAMIS report, GIPA)
AEROMEDICAL CASE Stage 1 of the Aeromedical Case has included identifying the need for the new classification of Critical Care Paramedics (CCP). This stage was successful with the IRC decision to create the new CCP classification, with increments at Year 1 and Year 2 and a CCP Team Leader. The case was compelling for the creation of the new classification, which received implicit support from the Ambulance Service. A crucial element of this case appeared when administrative practices dealing with work that was outside of Intensive Care Paramedic scope had become routine and paramedics were directed to cease as it had become essentially an everyday occurrence. Stage 2 has uncovered employee-related cost savings under the Health Services Regulation as the sticking point, and any increase above the 2.5 per cent cap has to have evidenced-based cost savings. We move forward into a conciliation process for Stage 2 and hope that the Ministry come to the table to find an agreeable position. If it does not, we will commence the arbitration process.
PAY INCREASE We remain locked into statutory and regulatory frameworks that bind the NSW IRC regarding the awarding of any pay increase. Effectively, the legislation removes our right to bargain in any meaningful way.
BED BLOCK/RAMPING
CONTROL CENTRE QUALIFICATIONS
This issue is a good example of where the IRC is of no assistance. While the commissioner empathised with the plight
There is a momentum from the service to fill Deputy Control Centre Officer and Senior Control Centre Officer with AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
NCAU ACTIVE
employees not qualified as paramedics. The award is very clear that either of those positions require paramedics who hold a current Certificate to Practice. It’s a vexed issue as we have members who are non-paramedics and there are issues surrounding the interest from paramedics to work in these roles. We co-ordinated sub-branches that contain within them control centres and each put in a dispute notice to widen the discussion. We won the dispute and made it very clear that any changes would need consultation.
Tasmania WAGE VALUE AGREEMENT Tasmania’s wage value agreement was resolved in June, and will be allocated in three pay increases: • 4.5 per cent pay rise in July 2015 • 4.6 per cent pay rise in July 2016 • 5 per cent pay rise in July 2017 In addition, it was agreed that Duty Managers would get pay rises.
ENTERPRISE BARGAINING Tasmania currently has seven EBAs and various regional agreements. In 2007, 2010 and 2013 there was a call for the consolidation of agreements into a single industrial instrument. In each, there was a clause that states the parties agree to consolidate all terms and conditions into a single document within six months of registration of this agreement, and a preservation of existing entitlements clause. The consolidation process is slow, and Tasmania is now up to version 13 between all parties. Negotiations around the next EBA started in September.
RECRUITMENT Tasmania received its first new crew in eight years with three full-time ambulance officers recruited in Oatlands in the state’s southern midlands in October. The state government budget has also allocated funds for 12 paramedics to be based in Devonport, which includes one extra 24/7 truck, to be implemented in 2017.
South Australia EXPORTING/IMPORTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE The South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) is exporting executive officers almost as quickly as SA Health can import them. The previous chief executive (CE) Robert Morton left after the Secretary threatened to torpedo the SA Government’s plan to transform the health AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
system if Morton’s agenda was allowed to continue. The AEA had planned a ‘stopwork meeting’, and we were intending to pull out all stops in telling him that he was detrimental to the service, to morale and potentially to patient care. Examples of the former CE’s views or conduct included: • Disparaging remarks about paramedics being ‘over educated’ • A view that there was no need for meal breaks • All crews should be composed of one para or ICP, and one Certificate IV • Comments such as: ‘You’re not a real paramedic’ • Ongoing absence from his office – using his time in office acting like a tourist • A commitment to taking the AEA, and individuals working in the AEA, ‘on’. He did this, but to his detriment. The AEA continues to thrive, while he has returned back to the United Kingdom.
ENTERPRISE BARGAINING The last EA expired in December 2014, but due to departure of Mr Morton, the SA Government decided to re-jig the management agenda to cull his ideas. For instance, one of his stated intentions was to take one paramedic off each crew and replace with a Certificate IV – a National Health Service (UK) model Mr Morton was promoting. With Mr Morton gone, we believe that the management agenda has been significantly pared down. We have developed our own claim originally in anticipation of a ‘donnybrook’ over the attacks on conditions Mr Morton was flagging; but now will have to consider what items we can cull ourselves – because during the long delay in commencing bargaining, members have had plenty of time, and inclination, to keep adding to the wish list. Negotiations are well underway, but there is a long way to go before we find middle ground. Some of the elements of our claim are: • Rolled in Rate paid on all accumulated long service leave (we already have it for all long service leave accrued since 2010) • A number of staffing reviews – metropolitan, country and communications • Reserve right to run a work value on dispatchers when they become co‑ordinators • Reclass rescue/retrieval paramedics (special operations team) • Additional duties allowance • Adding directors to professional classification structure (Level 7) • Increase sick leave to 144 hours per annum • Double time pay for post-shift overtime.
SA GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO ‘TRANSFORM HEALTH’ The SA Health system is facing major structural and clinical changes – redistributing in-hospital services, spreading activity over the sevenday period, improving patient flow, downgrading some emergency dispatchers but also decreasing emergency department overcrowding. No small task, but one that has put ambulance right in the middle of whether the changes succeed or not. The union is actively participating using three guiding principles: • 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. The union’s pivotal role has given bargaining power, which has been useful in tidying up a few long standing issues (such as getting rid of on-call at a couple of locations, and the expectation of more to come). We expect that this situation will remain for a few years yet.
DISCIPLINE For some time, the AEA has been concerned about the way the SAAS goes about dealing with disciplining staff, and we know there is widespread concern among members. Our concerns are: • The frequency of people being stood down • The unreasonable duration of stand-downs • The lack of transparency • The cone of silence • The denial of natural justice (the assumption of guilt) • Over-authoritarian dealings with witnesses • The disciplinary outcomes lacking supporting evidence (‘balance of probabilities’ myth). In our view, SAAS has been deciding someone’s guilt and punishment ‘on balance of probabilities’, which from our experience amounts to SAAS thinking someone is probably guilty, so they must be…regardless of the evidence (or lack thereof). In industrial proceedings, decisions are made on balance of probabilities rather that the criminal system’s requirement of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, however SAAS’s application of this principle is wrong, and we have legal advice that supports that view. The AEA is challenging the processes and seeking a reversal of unfair disciplinary decisions in the Fair Work Commission. The case is on-going.
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE IN OUR CAPITAL CITY The country’s capital, Canberra, played host to the 2015 National Council of Ambulance Union conference in August, showcasing the year-that-was and what to expect in 2016. EACH STATE WAS REPRESENTED AT the two-day conference held in the majestic National Gallery of Australia. Before the official kick-off, a group of delegates took part in an evening visit to Parliament House where they were provided the opportunity to meet with Opposition Leader The Hon Bill Shorten. The next morning it was down to business with NCAU President Steve McGhie officially opening the 2015
14
Conference delegates enjoy a rare viewing of the Australian War Memorial by night.
conference and providing an overview of how the next couple of days would proceed. Delegates gave a warm welcome to Shadow Minister for Health The Hon Catherine King. Please see a full transcript of the minister’s speech starting on page 18. Following the Minister’s address, a lively discussion around ‘Ambulance Issues and Future Directions’ took place,
led by Panel Chair Associate Professor Dr Michael Eburn who was joined by panel members Dr Keith Townsend and WA Paramedic Lyn Sinclair – founder of paramedic support network Sirens of Silence Charity Inc. After some discussion around paramedic registration led by Dr Eburn and NCAU Project Officer Jim Arneman (see page 6 for more), Stephen RohanJones from O2C Solutions got the AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Wellbeing, culture and professionalism By Victor Stuart, WA paramedic I have been an ambulance paramedic with the WA Ambulance Service for 21 years. For that entire time I have been a productive member of the WA Ambulance Service United Voice Union Chapter. For the past three years, I have worked tirelessly as a union delegate on the ambulance union committee. During the last EBA negotiations, I invested a vast number of my days attending meetings, helping to inform members, and guiding the committee to make better decisions that would be in the best interests of the membership. Needless to say, the EBA negotiations were laden with surprises and hostilities and I believe the outcome would have been worse for our membership had I not done my part.
More recently, I was involved in negotiating with St John Ambulance on its wellbeing and support program and the way they interact with their staff – something that is important to me. Overall, I would like to attend the conference so I can gain knowledge and insight from our union counterparts interstate that could benefit our membership and ensure a stronger WA union. Furthermore, I believe a strong national union is in everyone’s favour and these events are vital to ensure this. In addition, having a Masters Degree in Military Strategy and National Defence, I wholeheartedly welcome the opportunity to visit our capital city, including the Australian War Memorial and National Museum of Australia as I have never had the opportunity.
Discussing national issues By Gary Jones, Victorian paramedic If I was asked to name one thing I learned from this year’s conference it would be that the issues concerning ambulance union members in their respective states and territories are largely the same nationally. This is a major reason why ambulance unions should have a national voice so that networking and coordination of industrial campaigns addressing these issues can be organised in the most productive way. This was evident at the conference as each state and territory’s industrial report made reference to their own industrial campaigns being influenced by the lessons learned and successful campaign strategies implemented in their neighbouring states and territories. We have a powerful voice and it is great to see that voice can be coordinated on a national level. The venues for this conference were a major highlight. Delegates visited Parliament House, the National Museum of Australia and the Australian War Memorial. The Australian War Memorial was a stand out for all delegates as our visit involved a private tour at night time, not something everyone gets to do.
audience involved in his topic of interest – Ambulance Industry Culture. Mr Rohan-Jones’ company supports individuals and organisations to create brighter futures by managing order AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
It was also great to have a number of politicians willing to give up their time to address delegates at the conference. We live in a country where everyone has access to members of parliament and senators that influence decisions concerning us all privately and in the workplace. They need to know about our issues and concerns and they need to be informed of the day-today workings of our industry. So, many thanks to the Leader of the Opposition The Hon Bill Shorten and Shadow Minister for Health The Hon Catherine King for giving us their time. There were a number of other keynote speakers but I thought I would mention the work of Ms Lyn Sinclair. Lyn, along with her husband Ian, have founded a support network to help others particularly those in our industry that require ongoing help and support. The network they have founded is the Sirens of Silence Charity Inc. Information concerning this organisation can be found at www.sirensofsilence.org.au and also at numerous social media sites.
and chaos – two necessary aspects of transformation. He often fills the role of a guide and facilitator for organisations undergoing change, which included a review last year of ACT Ambulance Culture. After a full day listening and talking, it was time for reflection during a private evening tour of the Australian War Memorial, which was followed by dinner at Poppy’s Restaurant.
On the final day, a state representative provided an overview of what was happening in their backyard, with most of these reported in the States of Activity section of this edition of Ambulance Active. Read more about the conference above, from the two delegates who won a sponsored seat at the conference along with flights and accommodation.
15
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE BRINGS MEMBERS TOGETHER NCAU Annual Conference Canberra 20-21 August, 2015
(L-R) Dr Michael Eburn and Steve Mitchell.
(L-R) Stuart Hatter NSW, Steve Mitchell, Steve McGhie, Greg Bruce and Jim Arneman.
(L-R) Lyn Sinclair and Sarah Gray.
Queensland delegation.
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(L-R) Tania Rogers and Chris Kennedy.
(L-R) Janelle White, Michael Formica, Mark Whitby, Debbie Gillott.
(L-R) Stuart Hatter, Dave McCormack, Bruce Waters and Steve Fraser.
AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
(L-R) Justin Hockley and Leah Donaldson.
Delegates in conference.
(L-R) Scott Connolly and Steve McGhie.
(L-R) Steve Mitchell and son Joseph before the conference, taking part in a news story on penalty rates.
(L-R) Greg Bruce, Steve McGhie, Michael Formica, Steve Mitchell and Phil Palmer.
Dinner time at Poppy’s Cafe at the Australian War Memorial.
AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
Dr Keith Townsend.
(L-R) Olga Bartesek, Ward Jongebloed and Amanda Kaczmarek.
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE
ANNUAL CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEECH Delivered by Shadow Minister for Health The Hon Catherine King MP
Please note that this speech has been edited to reflect the change of Prime Minister, which occurred after the conference was held. Where references to the former Prime Minister Tony Abbott were made, these have been changed to Liberal Government, Liberal Party or Australian Government. CAN I START BY THANKING YOU FOR the terrific work you do on behalf of your members, people who are at the very frontline of our health system, working very long hours under very trying conditions and sadly, with little or no appreciation from Coalition governments. In my home state, Victoria, the Napthine Government learnt to its great cost that in a fight between ambulance paramedics and the Liberals, the public will back the ambulance paramedics every time. The Liberal Party may still long for the day when it could dismiss you as ambulance drivers, but Labor strongly supports your right to be recognised for the professionals you are, and your right to receive a decent
18
wage that recognises the great sacrifices you make, the threats and stress you face on a daily basis, and the hours you are forced to work to keep us all safe. Penalty rates typically make up 20 to 30 per cent of the take home pay of paramedics, and if penalty rates were abolished it’s quite likely the ambulance service in most states would collapse. As Victorian paramedic Brett Adie told United Voice, penalty rates not only pay his salary, they compensate for the fact the job’s unsociable hours make it extremely difficult for partners to hold a regular job once they have children. “Penalties put food on the table. It’s not for luxuries, it gets you by every week.
It was a privilege for the NCAU, and attending members, to welcome Shadow Minister for Health, the Hon Catherine King MP to speak on day one of the National Conference. Ms King delivered a number of positive messages such as the Labour Party’s support of penalty rates and showed a clear understanding and appreciation of paramedics. We would be in huge trouble if we lost penalties. I would be out of this job real quick. You would not have any ambos. People just would not be prepared to do this job with all its pressures. For me personally, penalties feed my kids.” The (Liberal) Government has now suggested that if he were to strip workers of their penalty rates, he would exempt emergency services and health workers. Labor’s position on this is clear. We do not support a two-tier wages structure in this country at all, full stop. And we won’t be supporting in any way (the Liberal Government’s) attack on the wages and conditions of hard working Australians. AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
“ We recognise your
skills, and we recognise your sacrifices and will stand with you in support of your right to earn a decent wage, and achieve the recognition you deserve.
”
Shadow Health Minister Catherine King and delegates from NSW.
And does anyone seriously believe that if (the Liberal Government) was to succeed in ending penalties for retail workers and shop assistants that he’d stop there? If (the Liberal Government) ever succeeded with that argument, it would only be a short step towards then mounting the argument that all penalty rates should be scrapped and everyone should be paid the same no matter what time of the day, or what day of the week they worked. Labor totally rejects that argument. We do believe there is a place for family life and weekend sport with the kids, and when we ask people to sacrifice that lifestyle to ensure the rest of us can be looked after, it’s only fair that there be some reward for that sacrifice. And at a time when Australia has just recorded its lowest average annual increase in wages in over two decades, one has to question just what is the problem here that requires even lower wages? And why is it that the target is always those on modest or low incomes, getting just a little bit extra for working the hours most other Australians world rather have off so they can spend time with their families? This is just another of those issues which highlights how totally out of touch (the Liberal Party) is with the lives of working Australians, and the problems they face. There’s been no greater evidence of that over the past two years than the (Liberal) Government’s budgets, which have launched an unprecedented assault on the living standards of ordinary Australians by attacking their wages, their ability to afford a decent education for their kids, their retirement incomes, and, in particular, their right to decent, affordable health care. Given the absolute disaster that occurred in the health budget last year, I could not comprehend how this year’s budget could do more damage. Last year’s budget ripped $57 billion out of public hospital funding, gutted preventative health programs, cut adult AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
dental programs and attempted to destroy Medicare by forcing all Australians, even pensioners and children, to pay a tax every time they visit the doctor. It was a budget designed to make it harder to see a doctor, harder to pay for essential medicines, harder for you to look after your own health, and then, when the inevitable consequences of this were that more people ended up in hospital, cut the funding for those hospitals. Little wonder then that a budget so disastrous for health care and healthcare reform led to its minister being voted the worst health minister in 40 years and, before that year was out, he was gone. So, I suspect, like everyone who cares about health care in this country, we had hoped that with a new minister and a government reeling from the public backlash to its health cuts, the (Liberal) Government’s second budget would be evidence of a government that had learnt its lesson on health. This was not to be the case. Instead, we had had more than $125 million cut from the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, $145 million from the Healthy
Kids Check and another half a billion dollars from the health flexible funds which support so many vital community health and support organisations. These cuts will particularly impact on your members. All too often paramedics are called out to deal with the after effects of a drug overdose or alcohol binge. All too often your members are placed in harm’s way because of the damage done by alcohol and drugs. That situation can only get worse in coming years as the government rips a total of $800 million out of these funds that pay for the organisations that seek to minimise the harm caused by drug and alcohol abuse. These cuts will hit every electorate in every state and territory, and the hundreds of organisation that seek to improve health and minimise harm will suffer, and the consequences of that is that all of us will be harmed, and none more than the people in this room who too often are the frontline when it comes to tackling the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. But these cuts are not even close to the worst of what is coming in the health sector.
(L-R) Greg Bruce, Steve Mitchell, Steve McGhie, Catherine King MP and Phil Palmer.
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE
(Middle) Catherine King MP with conference delegates.
Because the crucial point here is that in addition to what was announced on Budget night, this year’s statement entrenches all of the cuts to hospitals announced last year. I know many of you here are already struggling with the impact of those decisions. Cuts to hospital funding means fewer doctors and nurses, longer waiting times, overcrowded hospitals and longer ramping times. It means people who should be seeing a GP instead go to the emergency department, and people whose conditions should have been fixed before they got too serious instead end up having to call an ambulance.
“ We do not support
a two-tier wages structure in this country at all, full stop.
”
But I have to warn you that the cuts you have seen to this point are just small ripples compared to the tsunami that is approaching. From 2017 Labor committed, with the states and territories to a new long-term agreement to fund 50 per cent of the growth in the National Efficient Price of hospital based activity. This agreement came out of years of discussions, and years of work to ensure we could meet increasing demand, but at the same time ensure this funding was used to drive real reforms that improved patient care. (Former Prime Minister) Tony Abbott went to the 2013 election promising that the Coalition would continue with that funding agreement. Instead, he tore it up.
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He tore up years of reform to build a decent hospital system, and instead returned to funding hospitals on a formula based only on population growth and the CPI. This will not come close to meeting the future demand on hospitals. The premiers and chief ministers have called this for what it is: a complete broken promise and the lowest level of funding since the Commonwealth first started funding public hospitals after the Second World War. These are cuts that the New South Wales Liberal Premier Mike Baird has described as unsustainable. The AMA’s most recent report card found public hospitals are already not keeping pace with population growth and demand; as a result, the government’s budget cuts they are now facing a future funding crisis. As the Victorian health minister, Jill Hennessy, stated “Tony Abbott’s cuts will see sick Victorian patients wait longer for treatment. It’s that simple.” Quite simply, these cuts cannot be sustained, and the government knows it. The cuts will have a seriously detrimental impact on emergency department waiting times and elective surgery waiting times. They will increase waiting times, and they will put lives at risk, make no mistake about it. What is even more damaging is that—after years of positive engagement by clinicians through states, territories and the Commonwealth—this government has completely walked away from any public hospital reform whatsoever, putting the reform process back years and giving up any hope of actually realising efficiencies across the public hospital system. All that has happened is the (Liberal) Government has transferred hospital
funding responsibilities and used it to put pressure on states to raise taxes. And this is all in the context of the development of the (Liberal) Government’s ‘Federation White Paper’ that proposes a range of options in health funding, including the Commonwealth abandoning any role in funding public hospitals. It’s one thing for the Government to have wasted two years to now be at this point, but in fact it is much worse than this, because having overturned all of the significant health reforms Labor realised over two terms in office, the Government has set health reform back over a decade. I therefore have little hope, knowing how hard the National Health Reform Agreement was to achieve, that we will see any real or meaningful progress on healthcare reform whether there is a Federation White Paper or not. I say this especially not just because we are – I believe – less than a year away from an election, but because at the heart of it this government does not believe in universal healthcare and has proven itself to be utterly unwilling to make the difficult decisions that are needed to properly invest in the system. And for what purpose? Australia, as all of us here are well aware, has some of the world’s best health outcomes for a relatively modest investment. Despite all the doom and gloom from the (Liberal) Government designed to justify its attempt to destroy Medicare and end universal access to healthcare, the facts are, health spending in Australia is around the average of other developed nations. But in return we are one of only a handful of countries offering universal access to health care, and one of only four AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Catherine King MP with ACT delegates.
where men, and women can now expect to live beyond 80. That’s why Labor is proud of our universal health care system, and instead of trying to tear it down, will instead be seeking to build on the existing system to make it even better. This was endorsed by last month’s ALP National Conference in the Health Chapter of our National Platform, ‘A health system for all’ that sets out the principles that will inform the health policies we take to the next election. Specifically, the platform recognises our strong commitment to a universal health insurance scheme and commits to “working to build the architecture needed for health care reform in preventive health, primary care and hospitals, and create more opportunities for consumers and health care professionals to participate in improving our health care system.” And of course the platform recognises the right of all health workers “to organise collectively and for their union representatives to contribute positively to a high quality public health system”. Because Labor believes one of the major reasons why we have such great health outcomes for such a relatively modest outlay is because of the quality of our health workforce. And on that note I’d like to finish with an issue that I know is of particular importance to everyone in this room and state, very clearly, that federal Labor strongly endorses the National Registration of Ambulance Paramedics. To us, this seems a ‘no-brainer’. There are 13,000 paramedics working in Australia, trained to undertake significantly complex clinical interventions in a very diverse range of emergency and primary care settings away from direct supervision AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
And yet, in most states and territories anyone can call themselves a paramedic. The public has no way of knowing whether the Ambulance Paramedic treating them is, in fact, qualified to deliver that treatment. Indeed, around a third of paramedics surveyed by Paramedics Australasia claimed to have personal knowledge of unqualified individuals operating as a paramedic. But more than this, it’s a basic matter of respect for the job you do. You are highly qualified health professionals and like all highly qualified health professionals deserve to be recognised as such through a national registration scheme.
the event of unsatisfactory professional conduct, remedies are available up to and including having a poor paramedic ‘struck off’ the register. It’s disappointing then that the recent meeting of COAG health ministers again failed to endorse national registration, due largely to the obstructionism of the NSW Liberal Government and a complete lack of leadership from the (Australian) Government. If we are fortunate enough to form government after the next election this is something Labor will actively pursue. Federal Labor believes Ambulance Paramedics, like Doctors, Nurses, Dentists,
“ All too often paramedics are called out to deal with the after effects of a drug overdose or alcohol binge. All too often your members are placed in harm’s way because of the damage done by alcohol and drugs.
”
As Michal Eburn wrote in Australian Emergency Law: It would give paramedics a moveable qualification so that they could move between employers rather than having to ‘requalify’ each time. An employer would know that a registered paramedic has a set of minimum prescribed skills and can be safely entrusted with the care of patients as well as the use of drugs and paramedic technology. Registration would also protect patients as they would know that a person calling themselves a paramedic has the necessary skills to practice their profession and, in
Optometrists, Osteopaths, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and Psychologists deserve to be recognised as independent, recognised health professionals. I thank you for the opportunity to speak this afternoon and please, never doubt, that federal Labor, and I, as shadow minister for health, fully appreciate that the work you do will continue to be critical to the success of Australia’s health system. We recognise your skills, and we recognise your sacrifices and will stand with you in support of your right to earn a decent wage, and achieve the recognition you deserve.
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PTSD
Queensland ambulance officers working together. Photo by Matthew Kenwrick (2011). Published under Creative Commons license.
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS AND AMBULANCE OFFICERS THROUGHOUT 2015, UNITED VOICE Queensland worked with the research team at Griffith University, Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources to understand two things about post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The first was how widespread the problem of PTSD is among ambulance officers in Queensland, and the second was what sort of things contribute to an ambulance officer developing PTSD, aside from the obvious exposure to trauma. After close to 20 interviews and more than 400 phone surveys, some preliminary answers to these questions have been found. By using a PTSD screening tool in the phone surveys, a good indication of the degree of stress around trauma could be found in the samples examined. The PTSD screening tool is not a diagnostic tool. AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
“ …there is no
difference between genders (in suffering from PTSD), (but) there is a difference between geographic areas.
”
Not surprisingly, more than 80 per cent of respondents indicated that they had been exposed to trauma at work. Of course this is not surprising given the nature of the work performed by ambulance professionals. However, of those who reported facing a
traumatic event, 60 per cent met the criteria for a likely determination of PTSD. While this is a somewhat alarming figure, there are some areas that give some cause for hope and areas to investigate further. For example, while there is no difference between genders, there is a difference between geographic areas. People who work in regional cities are less likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than their city and country counterparts. But there are also ranges of other factors that seem to be contributing in the Queensland context, for example, the structure of pay systems. United Voice Queensland is committed to furthering this research agenda so that a strong, evidence-based approach can be used to reduce the impact of traumatic events on members and the paramedic workforce overall.
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HEADER FRINGE BENEFIT TAX
FRINGE BENEFIT TAX CHANGES By Justin Hockley FOR SOME 10 YEARS NOW, MANY members have had access to the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) benefits that were previously only available to government hospital staff and some registered charities. These benefits have been available to members depending on which jurisdiction (ie public ambulance service) they are employed by. It is the employer who decides which benefits their staff can access, either through a private provider or their government payroll provider. These benefits have included: • An FBT (tax) exempt amount of approximately $9,000, which is often used for mortgage or rent payments, or accessed via an expenses card depending on local arrangements. • Meal Entertainment benefits, enabling the user to purchase or seek reimbursement as approved by their employer in line with established Australian Tax Office guidelines. • Leisure Accommodation benefits, accessed on the same complying basis as the Meal Entertainment benefits. During the 2015/16 Federal Budget, the Treasurer announced a combined grossed up cap of $5,000 on the Meal Entertainment and Leisure Accommodation benefits currently being accessed by members. This is contrary to advice previously provided by the Minister for Finance Mr Mathias Cormann, to the NCAU executive. These changes to the previously uncapped benefit will come into effect on 01 April 2016, the start of the new FBT year. The second change announced in the budget speech was the inclusion of the Meal Entertainment and Leisure Accommodation benefits in the Reportable Fringe Benefit Amount (RFBA), included in the annual payment summary/ group certificate. The effect of these changes for members will be twofold: 1. The capping of Meal Entertainment and Leisure Accommodation benefits at $5,000 grossed up means that
Changes to Fringe Benefit Tax laws may affect ambulance officer's meals, accommodation, leisure and entertainment benefits.
“ NCAU urges all members to write or speak
to their local Federal Member regarding ongoing access to the Meal Entertainment and Leisure Accommodation benefits, and the unreasonable cap that has been proposed.
”
members will be limited to packaging approximately $2,600 per year or $100 per fortnight, before grossing up, to meet the cap of $5,000. 2. Any expenditure on Meal Entertainment and Leisure Accommodation benefits will be included in the members’ RFBA on the group certificate. This change may impact the members’ eligibility for government benefits (family tax benefit, Private Health Insurance Rebate, etc) and potentially have an impact on those members who are subject to Child Support Agency agreements. These changes will mean that members who have access to these benefits should review their personal financial and taxation positions in order to comply with the proposed changes should they be passed in the parliament.
NCAU has an ongoing dialogue with the Finance Minister providing suggested options and revisting the previous advice provided by his office, and has enlisted the support of Federal Member for Fraser Dr Andrew Leigh to champion the matter, and seeking a review in terms of its impact on paramedics. Dr Leigh will be taking the matter to Mr Chris Bowen (Shadow Treasurer) to further our messaging regarding these benefits. NCAU urges all members to write or speak to their local Federal Member regarding ongoing access to the Meal Entertainment and Leisure Accommodation benefits, and the unreasonable cap that has been proposed. Some members have accepted reduced wage claims in order to benefit from this system, and to have changes imposed in this manner are, in effect, a pay cut!
Note: The information contained in this article is of a general nature, is not to be taken as financial or taxation advice, and is subject to change. Readers should seek qualified accounting and taxation advice in terms of the potential personal impact of the proposed changes.
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AMBULANCE ACTIVE SPRING 2015
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Mob: (0422) 272 391 Ph: (02) 9793 1994 Fax: (02) 9708 0728 www.pacificmetal.com.au Proudly supporting the Paramedics and Ambulance members.
www.enablesouthwest.org.au
PO Box 6379, South Bunbury, WA, 6230
Ph: (08) 9792 7500 Fax: (08) 9791 2776 Proudly Supporting the Ambulance & Paramedic Services “Risking their lives to save another”
Cubbyhouse Childcare Australia www.cubbycc.com.au 14 Ravensbourne Circuit Dural, NSW, 2158
Ph: (1300) 282 292 Proudly Supporting the Ambulance & Paramedic Services “Risking their lives to save another”
International Vehicle \ Integrity Centre (IVIC) Unit 2, 60 Keilor Park Drive, Keilor East, VIC, 3033
Ph: (03) 9329 3122
www.ivic.com.au Proudly Supporting the Ambulance & Paramedic Services “Risking their lives to save another”
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 Michael Formica E: michael.formica@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 SPRING 2015
WE’RE ON A MISSION TO SAVE LIVES. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is uniting with emergency services to form a powerful movement. Together, we can reach 25% of Australia’s blood donations. Call 1300 886 524 for more information or visit donateblood.com.au/red25
Blue Hippo Laundry Wyndham Village Shopping Centre, Tarneit, VIC
McCormack Property Services
312-314 Hoddle St., Abbotsford
Phone: (03) 9417 1095 mccormackproperty.com.au
Mob: (0421) 947 305 Proudly Supporting the Ambulance Service
Proud supporter of the Ambulance officers and the great work that they do in the community.
First State Super First choice for the first on the scene
If you want low fees1, competitive returns and a fund that’s easy to deal with, join the fund that looks after Australia’s most respected professions.
Call 1300 650 873 or visit firststatesuper.com.au 1
www.superratings.com.au/top-tens/fees
Consider our product disclosure statement before making a decision about First State Super. Call us or visit our website for a copy. FSS Trustee Corporation ABN 11 118 202 672 ASFL 293340 is the trustee of the First State Superannuation Scheme ABN 53 226 460 365.
ABA_FirstChoice_A4_0915
Every single one of our members can be confident their future is our priority.