NEWS • Summer 2020–21
EMDS in spotlight Our Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) play a vital role, being the first point of contact for medical emergencies. Their aim is to provide early care and intervention for positive patient outcomes. However, sadly, some calls can result in significant verbal abuse towards our Operations Centre staff across the state. The QAS has zero tolerance for any type of violence or abuse towards our staff. When our Operations Centre staff reported this as a rising and recurring issue, the QAS launched a social media campaign in December to educate the general public about the abuse our EMDs receive whilst taking Triple Zero (000) calls and the effect this has on our employees. Nine News ran an exclusive story on this campaign which involved various EMDs being interviewed about their experiences and the importance of their role in providing crucial early patient care. Meanwhile, congratulations to our 14 EMDs who were nominated for the prestigious 2020 Australasia Dispatcher of the Year Award. The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) award recognises EMDs who have made the most significant contributions to further the values and missions of the academies through personal action. We are so proud of our nominees–Chloe Page, Karen Beattie, Lyn Bassett and Renee Steuart (Cairns Operations Centre), Jane Lupton and Ross Dixon (Maroochydore Operations Centre), Kahlia Barker and Shelley Mortensen (Rockhampton Operations Centre), Angela McCormick and Erin Youlden (Southport Operations Centre), Nikki Curtis (Brisbane Operations Centre), Christina
Johnson and Sandra Moon (Toowoomba Operations Centre) and Amanda Martin (Townsville Operations Centre). They may not have taken out the coveted title that deservedly went to South Australian EMD Crystal Knight-Priede, however, their commitment to teamwork, professionalism and desire to go above and beyond to help people in their time of need is greatly appreciated. To view our outstanding nominees, visit https://www. facebook.com/qldambulanceservice/posts/3754407587924274 EMD Madeline Croker was one of the faces of the QAS No Excuse for EMD Abuse social media campaign.
3
School Leavers 2020 The annual migration of Queensland year 12 students to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and other hot spots such as Airlie Beach, to celebrate the end of high school took on a different approach this year with ‘organised Schoolies events’ being cancelled due to COVID-19. The QAS still had a presence at both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts to support School Leavers under our Hospital Avoidance Strategy. Part of this strategy was establishing a designated area to assess and provide treatment to patients for non-life-threatening illness and injuries taking pressure off hospital emergency departments. The first weekend of unofficial celebrations on the Gold Coast resulted in a small number of School Leavers requiring treatment by paramedics. By the end of the week,
106 patients had been treated at the Emergency Treatment Centre (ETC). These numbers were significantly down from the 439 presentations the previous year. On the Sunshine Coast, revellers turned out in large numbers on the first weekend. From 19 November 2020 to 29 November 2020, the Sunshine Coast LASN Noosa Precinct ETC treated 183 patients. At Airlie Beach, all formal events were cancelled and there was a severe reduction in attendance numbers, with registrations below 400 (this represented a fifth of the usual expected numbers) and many late cancellations. Due to the low numbers, the Tactical Medical Centre did not operate. During the week 16 patients received treatment. Gold Coast ETC staff.
Summer 2020–21
