***HSU NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes will hold a press conference at the back of NSW Parliamant at 10:15 today***
Intensive care paramedics across Sydney are today taking industrial action by refusing to be split from their ICP partner or work outside the community they are assigned to when NSW Ambulance refuses to backfill vacant positions.
More than 84 ICPs should be rostered on in Sydney every 24 hour period. However, NSW Ambulance no longer always replaces sick and injured intensive care paramedics with another ICP, depriving the community of specialist care.
Western Sydney has been especially shortchanged by NSW Ambulance’s penny pinching. It was left without specialist paramedic coverage on at least 23 occasions between 24 January and 24 February.
Today’s dispute stems from a broader concern that NSW Ambulance is not giving paramedics the professional recognition they deserve or properly resourcing the service, with at least 2000 extra paramedics needed across NSW.
“Intensive care paramedics perform a vital service. These are the men and women we turn to when a newborn needs to be resuscitated. But NSW Ambulance seems to think this kind of cover is an optional extra,” said Gerard Hayes, HSU NSW Secretary.
“This is penny pinching of the worst kind and we won’t stand for it. Our members will not be split and will not abandon the communities they are supposed to cover.
“There is no escaping the fact that NSW needs more paramedics and they need proper professional recognition. We have a shortfall of at least 2000 paramedics across NSW and we see the implications of this every day. Specialist paramedic coverage of Sydney represents a block of Swiss cheese, completely full of holes.
“While some are suggesting an inferior claim of 2.5 percent would suffice, this would amount to a pay cut rather than a well-deserved pay rise, especially with inflation running rampant. HSU wants a pay rise well above this figure, to recognise the productivity, enhanced skills and contribution made by hard working paramedics to the NSW health system.
“If the Government won’t listen to reason perhaps it will consider the politics. Under-resourcing of ambulance just swung the South Australian election. Perhaps NSW political leaders should consider this.”
Gerard Hayes 0417 275 821
Nick Lucchinelli 0422 229 032
