Paramedics did paperwork on the parking lot floor and ate while sitting in the gutter at Sydney's Westmead Hospital last night, as up to 13 ambulances waited hours to transfer care of mostly COVID positive patients.
The Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) says the state's already-overloaded healthcare system is failing to adapt to the current crisis, with staff and patients paying the price.
The union says one patient was x-rayed while still waiting in the ambulance bay.
"These kind of scenes don't belong in a functioning first-world healthcare system" said APA (NSW) President Chris Kastelan.
"Waiting hours in a parking lot isn't comfortable. It isn't dignified. We don't even know if it is safe.
"Confirmed COVID patients who require medical attention are waiting outside hospitals for hours. Paramedics are doing paperwork on the concrete floor in full PPE.
"NSW Health have now had 18 months to improve logistics and increase capacity for COVID patients. Communities living through this latest outbreak have every reason to feel angry and let down about the standard of care on offer for their loved ones."
APA (NSW) says NSW Health has failed to provide for basic needs for frontline staff, including opportunities to safely eat a meal during shifts that can stretch 15+ hours.
"Where is the support for frontline workers?
"When we're facing floods or fires, we see emergency assistance on the ground for frontline workers. But as Paramedics brave the frontlines of this pandemic, we're lucky if we get a moment to eat lunch in the gutter outside hospital.
"Paramedics have had to be supplied with hospital blankets after waiting outside for hours in the cold. What will happen when the heat hits and we're stuck outside in full PPE?
"It's an absolute disgrace to see frontline workers treated in this way", said Mr Kastelan.
APA (NSW) has made requests in writing to NSW Health and NSW Ambulance for immediate action to increase hospital capacity and provide Paramedics with a safe place to eat, rest and complete essential paperwork.
"The Health Minister can't keep ignoring this crisis.
"If we are going to keep asking Paramedics to respond to COVID patients, we need to guarantee their access to basic requirements necessary to keep them and their families safe."
