The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) has raised the alarm at what appears to be a major difference of opinion between Ambulance Tasmania and the Minister for Health Guy Barnett on the maximum kilometers an emergency ambulance should travel before it is replaced.
Three weeks ago, the Minister attended a meeting of ambulance union delegates and read from a document, we assume was prepared by Ambulance Tasmania, which stated that the policy for replacement of emergency ambulances was 210,000 km or five years. Yesterday afternoon, HACSU was advised in a letter from Ambulance Tasmania that, whilst no such policy existed, a “set of guiding principles“ existed which was 250,000 km.
Ambulance Tasmania argue that the 250,000 km limit is the same as most other jurisdictions, however, HACSU has held long-standing concerns that Ambulance Tasmania does not have sufficient internal fleet safety and management measures every other Australian ambulance service has.
Over recent months HACSU has consistently raised concerns regarding the safety of the current emergency ambulance fleet following the discovery of significant damage to an ambulance which was still in operation.
“These circumstances are totally unacceptable. How can anyone have any confidence that Ambulance Tasmania is being well managed when they can’t even agree with their own Minister on such an important public and worker safety issue,” HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore said.
“It seems like a case of another faceless bureaucrat telling paramedics what is good for them. Let’s face it, a decision to extend the lifespan of an ambulance is all about cost, not safety,” he added.
HACSU met today with Ambulance Tasmania and stated unequivocally that we do not accept Ambulance Tasmania’s increased kilometrage policy.
Whilst Ambulance Tasmania has advised HACSU that they are awaiting delivery of 21 new Ambulances, there is no information on when that will actually happen – only sometime this financial year.
The HACSU Ambulance Executive will continue to discuss our concerns with Ambulance Tasmania and will consider what action, if any, will be necessary to ensure the safety of Tasmania’s paramedics and the general community.