The Health Services Union says present guidelines imply paramedics usually have to stick with sufferers who’ve “relatively minor” illnesses akin to sunburn as a result of the hospital they’re at is just too overwhelmed to course of a proper handover.
This means they’re unable to be on the street responding to probably life-threatening incidents.
From Tuesday, the union stated, paramedics will choose whether or not a affected person (if they’re aged 18 to 85) is secure after arriving at a hospital – and in that case, the well being staff will get again on the street.
HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes stated the paramedic workforce was taking the motion to advertise public well being.
“It’s astounding we have to do this, but we have no other option,” Hayes stated.
“Paramedics are at their wits’ finish.
“They are compelled to hold round emergency departments with sufferers who’ve constipation, stubbed toes or sunburn all as a result of there merely is not sufficient employees to course of a handover.
“We are sacrificing crucial minutes where we could be responding to a potential cardiac arrest.”
Hayes stated a collapse in hospital staffing was the foundation of the issue.
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“There are 12,000 vacancies across the hospital system because people with skills and experience simply can’t afford to live in NSW and work in health,” he stated.
“This is the consequence of a decade of wage suppression.”
Hayes stated the protest motion had been designed “carefully and responsibly”.
Source: www.9news.com.au
