The human cost of Ambulance Tasmania's crisis

Tasmanian paramedics call for government action

We recently spoke with Clinical Support Officer and Intensive Care Paramedic Nat about the ongoing industrial action by Ambulance Tasmania staff as the government refusesto address fair pay, safer rosters and conditions. Nat’s message to the government is simple but powerful: come and experience the conditions workers are dealing with for yourself. “I would love to see any of the government (ministers) come and work with us and see what we face day to day … come andspend a night shift, come and spend half a night shift with us and see what happens and the conditions we work in.”

Tasmania's paramedics demand change

Paramedics show up for us every single day, often exhausted,often understaffed. Community Paramedic Gabby says it plainly: what we have right now is not sustainable. That's why Ambulance Tasmania staff are currently takingindustrial action, standing up for fairer pay, rosters, and conditions. They deserve better. So does the community.

The human cost of Ambulance Tasmania's crisis

As the government continues to drag its feet on fair pay, rosters and working conditions for Ambulance Tasmania staff,Simone Haigh – Paramedic, HACSU Junior VP, and President of the Ambulance Employee Sub-branch, talks us through the psychological damage current working conditions are causing, and the long-term harm that will continue unless thegovernment steps in and fixes a system that is broken.  “It's been a breaking point for a while, but now it's really starting to hurt … We had one week where at one point during the day there was only one intern on for a whole night shift in the north at Launceston.”

Hands off Clare House!

In this podcast, we sit down with Social Worker Katie, andClinical Nurse Consultant Jacinta, from Clare House to talk about what’s really at stake for Tasmania’s young people. CYMHS is a lifeline for children, young people and familiesacross the state, delivering critical mental health care through a dedicated, multidisciplinary team. But workers are deeply concerned that the proposed move away from Clare House could undermine the quality of care. The current site provides a purpose-built, therapeuticenvironment, with green space, natural light and a calm, welcoming atmosphere that supports recovery. An office-based CBD location simply cannot replicate the care and much-needed serenity required for the young people. This is about protecting safe, accessible, and effectivemental health care for young Tasmanians. If the topics discussed in this vodcast have caused you anyconcern or distress, please know help is available: Access Mental Health phoneline: 1800 332 388 Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Ambulance Tasmania Industrial Action - Jan Pur, Paramedic

HACSU members at Ambulance Tasmania are taking industrialaction after long-stalled negotiations. In this podcast, Paramedic Jan Pur speaks of the anger andfrustration members are feeling, the reality of the conditions they are working under every day, the risks this is creating for the public, and the psychological and moral injuries many are carrying as a result. "On a daily basis, the community has a single officerrock up to their house if called for an ambulance, they see an ambulance with a stretcher, and it's a single officer." "Patients are being really poorly looked after. We aregiving them the best that we can, but the best that we can isn't really the best that we should be doing."