Victorian lives continue to be placed at risk as Daniel Andrews' ambulance crisis goes from bad to worse.
An independent review released today by the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC)has confirmed widespread cultural issues within Ambulance Victoria.
The review found that of the 2,163 Ambulance Victoria employees who responded to the review:
- 47.2% of survey respondents reported experiencing discrimination;
- 17.4% reported experiencing sexual harassment;
- 52.4% reported experiencing bullying; and
- 34.5% reported experiencing victimisation.
One Ambulance Victoria employee is quoted in the review stating:Who would've guessed the most traumatic thing I've experienced and witnessed as a paramedic was workplace behaviour?
Victorians will never get the help they deserve in an emergency when frontline paramedics are being bullied, sexually harassed and discriminated against in the workplace.
This report follows the latest quarterly performance figures showed that Victorian ambulance patients are waiting 28 minutes on average outside emergency departments as hospital ramping becomes a daily occurrence.
Daniel Andrews has been Premier or Health Minister for 10 of the last 14 years – he, more than anyone else is responsible for Victoria's failing healthcare system.
Instead of more spin and deflection, Victorians deserve a health system that works, is safe for staff and will be there for them when they need it the most.
As stated by Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier:
"Victoria will never recover and rebuild whilst Daniel Andrews' mismanagement of our healthcare system places Victorians' lives at risk.
"What hope do Victorians have of getting a prompt, professional ambulance response when one in two staff are being bullied on the job?
"With triple-0 delays, ambulance shortages, workplace bullying and widespread hospital ramping – Victoria's emergency healthcare is in crisis."
