Illawarra paramedics are seriously considering their first statewide strike amid rising anger over plans to involve firefighters in attending to patients, their union says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Health Services Union (HSU) NSW says members are likely to vote for a statewide strike when they meet for a series of rallies across the state, including in Wollongong next week.
The action comes after a NSW Health report raised the possibility of replicating a pilot study from Victoria where firefighters were used to reduce emergency response times.
HSU secretary Gerard Hayes said paramedics are also concerned about budget cuts and rural rosters.
‘‘Only a clinically trained paramedic can arrive at an emergency with the tools and knowledge necessary to keep a suffering patient alive,’’ Mr Hayes said.
‘‘Sending the fire brigade with a first aid kit when someone needs an oxygen mask simply will not cut it,’’ he said.
‘‘Our membership have had enough of this and will make their voice heard on Friday week.’’
NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner says the union is misleading the community.
‘‘I want to assure the community that the closest NSW ambulance paramedic will always be dispatched immediately in an emergency,’’ she said.
Firefighters already provided assistance to the ambulance service under the community first responders program.
‘‘The program aims to use all available resources to treat patients who need urgent medical care,’’ the minister said.
‘‘That is why, on occasion, fire and rescue personnel will be tasked to an emergency in addition to paramedics - not instead of.’’
