On Friday the Health Minister, Martin Foley, announced a significant additional investment in ambulance services and emergency health networks. The AEAV believes this is a step in the right direction but not the golden chalice that will fix the sector. Band-aid fixes to achieve KPI’s have been the bane of the industry and have meant AV and ESTA have had to squeeze staff harder and harder as demand increased over many years. Resourcing was an issue before Covid and the current smokescreen of demand increasing post-Covid is disrespectful to those of you who have felt the brunt over many years.
Working in your leave didn’t just become a necessity for AV in 2020/21. Nor did missed meal breaks, relying on overtime to keep the system afloat or ACO’s working paramedic shifts. We will soon be releasing data that shows AV has been aware of the pressure on staff but has hidden the full story from government. The AEAV will be asking some uncomfortable questions of those responsible because we believe this cover-up has led to inadequate funding for the sector and caused harm to AV and ESTA staff and our communities.
CHALLENGING THE ‘BOYS CLUB’ CULTURE AT AV
Highlighting the importance of the current VEOHRC review, the AEAV recently represented a member who applied for lateral transfer into a role, and after application, AV decided that it would retrospectively change the job requirements for the position. They took on AV and won. Read more about this HERE.
WORK INTENSITY AND STRESS AT AV
We know that the work intensity and stress at Ambulance Victoria is significant, so we are conducting a survey to outline the issues and develop the solutions. Many of these issues have an impact on mental health and are magnified by a lack of support. We encourage all AV paramedics to complete the survey HERE.
AV MEAL BREAKS – YOUR RIGHTS
Many questions have been asked of the union office recently around enforcement of breaks at hospitals, rights to have uninterrupted meal breaks and whether staff can be called back from breaks at Ambulance Victoria. Check out our fact sheet HERE.
ESTA – WORK INTENSITY AND STRESS
We are watching closely to see whether additional capacity will be added to ESTA, with no announcement from the Department of Justice yet about additional funding. We know that without funding support for additional staffing at ESTA, the intensity and stress will continue. We encourage all ESTA staff to complete our Work Intensification and Stress survey HERE.
ESTA – HSR NUMBERS
The current stress that ESTA staff are under highlights the lack of ability to report stress and have it dealt with on the ground. The AEAV have recently written to ESTA and highlighted the lack of access staff have to HSR’s (Health and Safety Representatives. You can read our correspondence to ESTA HERE.
AV – FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONAL SERVICES CHANGE
The AEAV have provided their submission to Ambulance Victoria in relation to the Financial Transactional Services change. You can check it out and read more HERE.
LATEST AVEA 2020 WORKING GROUP UPDATE
At the Alcohol and Other Drug Working group meeting last week, the AEAV presented their submissions around current issues. An update from that meeting is available HERE.
PHILLIP ISLAND NATURE PARKS FOR LOCAL HEROES
Our friends at Phillip Island Nature Parks want to say thanks to first responders, including paramedics, for their enormous efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Summer Bushfires.
They’re extending free entry to their experiences for first responders until 6 June 2021. This includes entry to Penguin Parade General Viewing, Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island and Antarctic Journey.
To book head to their website and use the promo code ‘First Responders’. Alternatively, you can email them at [email protected] – you will need to take your staff ID!
LAUGH OF THE WEEK!
Real court excerpt: Legal counsel questioning driver involved in car accident Q: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact? A: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
KEEP IN TOUCH …
As always, if you have any issues, questions or queries, get in touch by leaving a message on 9287 1713 or email [email protected]
