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Autumn 2003

Ambulance Survey Identifies Staffing as Top Issue

The results of a survey of HACSU Ambulance Employee Sub-branch members has identified staffing levels is the most important issue facing AESB members.

About 70% of returned surveys listed staffing levels as the number one priority for the union.

As this edition of INFORM goes to press, membership meetings were planned to discuss the survey results with members in each region.

Another important related issue facing members, particularly in the South, is the Sorell station.

The Minister for Health and Human Services in December advised HACSU he would be in a position to detail progress on the Sorell Station in the 2003 New Year.

As the New Year has come and gone and with autumn now well advanced, HACSU has written again to the Minister. His response, or lack of it, will determine members' actions over the next few months.

HACSU made it clear to the Minister, on the basis of precedent and demand, the Sorell station should be established and funded as a double branch station.

Members are adamant the new service should be appropriately staffed from the outset, not a promise on the "never never", where we wait for another six to twelve months, then have to fight for an upgrade.

All members are aware the ambulance service is chronically understaffed generally, and action is required to remedy this situation. Sorell is just the start.

Members have indicated through their response to the survey they believe the service needs more staff.

We now need to put into place a strategy to achieve appropriate staffing levels over the next few years.
Members who wish to assist in the development of a campaign should contact their regional representatives, or the HACSU office in their region.