Paramedics have escalated their industrial action to include a week long refusal to move from their home communities, citing the Government's lack of action on the emergency healthcare crisis and their calls for a real pay rise. The ban on moving from their home communities will begin on Monday, 20 March, and run through to 25 March.
Last week, APA (NSW) members launched a two week ban on entering patient billing information and reporting on KPIs. Now, they have escalated the action in response to the Government's continued failure to provide Paramedics an offer of a real wage increase, or take substantive action on the key issues Paramedics say are exacerbating the healthcare crisis.
"Paramedics are sick and tired of being ignored, or almost worse than that, given platitudes instead of a pay rise." Said APA (NSW) President Chris Kastelan
"Excessive staff movements are where staff are tasked to cover roster gaps at stations other than their own and in doing so are being asked to take resources from their communities. These movements are a massive safety issue, and are having a real impact on staff well-being and morale. This action is us saying – if you're not going to care for us and our communities, we're going to take care of each other." continued Mr. Kastelan.
Paramedics are fighting for improvements to the emergency healthcare system as well as a pay rise, saying that NSW desperately needs more specialist Paramedics and patient transport officers, triaging reform, and massive investments in regional health and community healthcare.
"Every single person in NSW deserves the right care, at the right time" said Mr. Kastelan
About us:
APA (NSW) is a registered trade union representing the majority of Paramedics in NSW employed by NSW Ambulance.
