Union concern at claimed reduction in paramedics

The Paramedic Union, representing Narrabri paramedics, is concerned about staffing levels at Narrabri Ambulance Station.

“I was recently contacted by the station officer of Narrabri, Lisa Hayne,” Hunter New England Ambulance state councillor, Dave Lucietto, said.

“Ambulance HQ in Sydney want to reduce the staffing at Narrabri by one to seven full time employees.

“Narrabri has been a full time equivalent complement of eight since 2015.

“Lisa has emails that confirm this, but State headquarters disputes this saying Narrabri only has an FTE of seven.

“With the introduction of new rostering rules Narrabri staff will no longer be able to supply an afternoon shift to the town.

“ The seven FTEs will only be able to manage a ‘day shift 0800-1800hrs’ roster and then cover after hours work by being on call.

“This is horrendously fatiguing on staff.

“One night recently Narrabri hospital transferred three unwell patients for further treatment in Tamworth in a six hour period.

“These transfers were done by the afternoon shift crew with help from Boggabri, leaving the ‘on-call’ day shift crew to still provide Paramedic coverage in Narrabri and surrounds.

“If the staff reduction goes ahead the ‘on-call’ dayshift crew will be doing these transfers at night and as a result there will most likely be no Ambulance in Narrabri until they get back.

“Currently there are nine staff at Narrabri.

“A fully functioning roster has been drawn up with great coverage for Narrabri, but this was rejected as headquarters will only allow a roster be built for seven staff, not nine,” Mr Lucietto said.

“The Narrabri staff have exhausted all avenues of escalating the issue via NSW Ambulance local and Hunter New England Management teams. So now it’s time to involve the local Member and the local Narrabri media to bring it to the attention of the public.

“I’m sure the community will agree, with multiple projects looking for approval in Narrabri and surrounds and the possibility of a large increase in population the last thing we need is a reduction in Paramedic resources in the area.”