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Autumn 2006

Ambulance Members Will Fight To Keep Road Accident Rescue

Responding to motor vehicle accidents has been the domain of the Tasmanian Ambulance Service since its inception over twenty years ago. Across the state, Ambulance Officers have a proud history in Road Accident Rescue, and do not want to relinquish this responsibility.

Last year, the Department of Health and Human Services conducted a review into the provision of Road Accident Rescue that was to have been finalised in August 2005.

The HACSU Ambulance Employees Sub-Branch compiled a comprehensive submission and met with the review team. Both within the submission and in the face-to-face meeting, members made it clear that rescue must stay with the Ambulance Service, stating that Ambulance Officers are best placed to ensure that patient care is always the main priority when attending a motor accident victim.

There have been rumours for some time that the State Government had been poised to hand over Road Rescue to the Tasmanian Fire Service. This decision appears driven by financial considerations rather than patient care. As the Fire Service receive a levy from ratepayers that the Government is unable to access for other services transferring the cost from Ambulance to Fire allows the Government to make use of this levy.

HACSU lobbied the State Government to release the review prior to the recent election. This was unsuccessful, which led members to believe that a decision will be made to transfer Rescue to the Fire Service, regardless of the concerns expressed by our members.

HACSU recently convened a meeting of Ambulance Officers, where a broad campaign strategy was developed. The campaign will not only focus on the usual industrial action, but also have a more significant focus on the media and the Community.

Members who would like more information regarding the campaign or would like to get involved are urged to contact HACSU Assistant State Secretary Tim Jacobson on 6231 2253.