Page 228 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
On 32 occasions or more, there were, for 10 hours up to 14 hours, fewer than three ambulances. Ambulance availability was often below that which applied in 1973, when the requirements were set. There were three occasions when one person was required to go out on a job alone. Sick leave amongst ambulance officers was at the highest in the service's history, and this sickness, I submit, was due to working so many overtime shifts and being under so much pressure. And of course critical incident stress was on the increase.
In October I indicated that the Australian Labor Party would take whatever action was necessary, in concert with the Government, to rectify the crisis. That was a genuine offer, and we have not been consulted since we made that offer. What we have now found out is that, regrettably, the crisis is still there. I raise this matter of public importance with some concern because, whilst I firmly believe that the community deserves to know exactly what is going on, I am concerned that raising it might create some extra stress.
Nevertheless, it has to be raised, in the public interest, to ensure that the public is aware of the performance of the Government on this issue; but, most importantly, it has to be raised to prick the Government's conscience so that some action is forthcoming.
When I raised it last year the indications were that the Government had been stung so much - in particular, the Minister responsible had been stung and found out - that there would be quick action to ensure that the matter was rectified. Mr Humphries had the perfect opportunity, with the agreement of the Australian Labor Party in opposition, to address the problem. But over three months later we find that this serious crisis in the Ambulance Service still exists.
I preface my next remarks with some comment on my concern about what happens to employees of the health department when they speak about what happens at their workplace.
Mr Connolly: A few threats get made, eh?
MR BERRY: Yes. We know that employees are heavied. Their jobs are threatened if they speak out on the deficiencies in the health area. The heavies lean on employees. But we have been able to come by some information which indicates that in January there were 12 occasions when ambulance stations were closed. I have to say that it is disappointing that Norm Jensen is not here, because he comes from the Tuggeranong Valley. I see that Mrs Nolan is here. She will be interested in this information as well. On many occasions the Calwell ambulance station has been closed.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .