Paramedic shortage leaves public at risk

PARAMEDIC shortages in Townsville could be putting public health “at risk”, according to concerned emergency service staff.

A Queensland Ambulance Service ( QAS) employee, who did not want to be named, had “grave concerns” the organisation was “leaving the public at risk” due to staff shortages in Townsville.

The Townsville Bulletin has obtained a copy of an operational brief from earlier this month showing the greater Townsville area was six paramedics short on one night shift.

The QAS employee said the shortage had placed pressure on remaining staff.

“This night shift had significant workload and the ability to deliver services was stretched to the limit,” they said.

“This is a regular occurrence and the current Townsville Local Ambulance Service Network ( LASN) management have now accepted this.”

The employee said unfilled shift coverage was “not the norm and was always an exception” in the past.

“( QAS) would always attempt to fill shifts or make alternative arrangements.”

QAS Assistant Commissioner Robbie Medlin said there were 10 permanent role vacancies across the Townsville LASN, but not all of those impacted the city directly.

“We endeavour to fill all vacancies and use a variety of ways to do that,” Mr Medlin said.

He said rosters could be temporarily impacted by unplanned requests such as sick leave, leave without pay and maternity leave.

“We will never tell staff, ‘ no you can’t access your leave’. I’ll wear it if we have to pay overtime or run short,” he said.

Mr Medlin said QAS would use casual workers, swap part time shifts, offer overtime and put staff on emergency availability to deal with any temporary roster shortages.

Mr Medlin said the Townsville LASN would receive 25 new staff members, six of whom started last week, before the end of June.

A spokeswoman for United Voice said the union “does receive anecdotal information from paramedic members in the Townsville region about workplace concerns”.

The spokeswoman said the union encouraged “any member” who had concerns to raise them with their local delegate.

“Ensuring our members have adequate and safe working conditions is of paramount importance, which is why we work together with QAS towards better outcomes for staff and service delivery,” she said.