Ms ROSOL question to MINISTER for HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH and WELLBEING, Mr BARNETT
Short‑staffing in Ambulance Tasmania is causing increased harm to patients and creating an unbearable burden for staff. Last week the Greens heard from yet another long‑serving paramedic who is leaving their position due to the shocking conditions. One of their biggest struggles was being forced to frequently work shifts alone. It is a concern many share. Single‑response shifts mean paramedics often cannot give patients the care they need at the scene itself or when transporting them. If you are driving the ambulance, you cannot monitor your patient. Whether you are responding to an emergency or transferring a patient to a new facility, this can be dangerous. We know, as I am sure you do, of cases where harm has already occurred. Single response shifts also add to workload fatigue, and stress. Nobody should have to work under such conditions.
Minister, do you agree that if we ask paramedics to deal with these circumstances, the least we could do is recognise the impact on them? Will you commit to sitting down with the union to figure out fair compensation for paramedics who work shifts alone?
Madam SPEAKER – I will call the member, but remind our members asking questions of the one-minute time limit, please. If I am going to hold ministers to account, I will hold the questions to account as well. I call the minister for Health in answering this question.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question, and her special interest in health, as health spokesperson for the Greens. It is a very important question and very important area. That is why, as a government, we take it so seriously. That is why with respect to our ambos, we have their back, we do support them, we do appreciate them. We have employed another 220, in fact, since we have come to government, and now we have made recent commitments to a further 78. Fifty-one of those paramedics to be all around Tasmania, but a further 21 community paramedics. This is in addition to what we already have now.
Those community paramedics will be based in our rural and regional hospitals, delivering the healthcare that is needed in those rural and regional parts of Tasmania, which is important. This is extra additional care to what we already have now. They will be able to treat Tasmanians in their own home. That is a good thing. This is in addition to the Hospital in the Home program, which is working really well – we are expanding that – and caring for Tasmanians in their own home, wherever possible. Taking pressure off our Eds, for example.
You have reference to the support for our ambulance officers and paramedics, dispatch officers and the like. I indicate that we agree. They need that support. We support them. You have asked the question about sitting down with the union and discussing these important matters with them. I have done that and I will continue to do that. In fact, I convened a round table just last month with respect to not just that particular union, HACSU, but likewise with the AMA, with the ANMF, and with my department specifically about transfer of care delays. I will be having another round table. It is expected at the end of this month.
So, a heads up: this is a priority for our Government. We are working in collaboration with those on the frontline, with the unions, with the department and with those healthcare stakeholders. It is really important. I thank you again for the question. I take this very seriously.
In conclusion, I acknowledge the leadership of Ambulance Tasmania, Jordan Emery and his team. We are very fortunate to have such a fine leadership in this space.
Of course there is more work to do. That is why we are investing record funds to deliver better healthcare that Tasmanians deserve.
Ms ROSOL – Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER – Are you seeking a supplementary?
Ms ROSOL – Yes.
Madam SPEAKER – The question did appear to be fully answered. Unless it is genuinely from the question I will take it on that basis.
Ms ROSOL – Madam Speaker, it is to follow up on whether the government will figure out fair compensation for paramedics. I do not believe that part of the question was answered.
Madam SPEAKER – I think that is actually a second question from the original one that I listened to, I am afraid.
Dr Woodruff – That was in the question. That was the question.
Madam SPEAKER – Was in the question?
Dr Woodruff – Yes, that was the question, to sit down specifically to talk about compensation.
Madam SPEAKER – I am not sure of that. I will take it as a supplementary then, if you would like to repeat the question for the Chamber. I do want to be careful with supplementaries. I do not just want to move to additional questions for the sake of it.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. To follow up on that question, will the government sit down with the unions and figure out fair compensation with the paramedics? Sitting down with them is one thing, but will their compensation be part of those conversations?
ANSWER
Mr BARNETT (Lyons – Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing) – Madam Speaker, I am always happy to sit down with the unions, stakeholders and the like to work through these matters. The answer is yes, we are more than happy to have those further discussions. We work through these matters. We take it very seriously. With respect to any matters that are raised with me as minister, I am more than happy to follow up and follow on.
