Paramedics across NSW will join a wxjmtzyweek-long industrial action to call for more staff and better pay.
From Monday, paramedics will not leave their own station to cover shortages in other areas, as the Australian Paramedics Association NSW (APA) puts a ban on “staff movements”.
According to the APA, staff are routinely moved around to cover gaps in rosters.
“Refusing staff movements means refusing to abandon your community to help the service cover up for shortfalls somewhere else,” APA NSW President Chris Kastelan said.
“We want enough crews on the road to cover the rosters. This shouldn’t be a radical proposal.”
The union is demanding an additional 1500 paramedics on the road, as well as more pay and investment in specialist training programs.
Previously the union has run similar actions over 24-hour stretches.
“Paramedics are at breaking point after three exhausting years responding to floods, fires and the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mr Kastelan said.
Over the past weeks, the NSW ambulance service has been at a “status 3” emergency declaration several times, meaning paramedics were struggling to respond to life-threatening calls.
Early on Monday afternoon, the Sydney metro area was again at status 3, with 104 patients waiting for a response and only one transport ambulance available, according to the APA.
Mr Kastelan said the government has “turned its back” on the service by refusing to provide basic resourcing.
“It’s heartbreaking and disappointing, but it would be a huge mistake to think that paramedics will give up,” Mr Kastelan said.
“We need decisive action from this Government to guarantee a safer, fairer workplace, and to improve healthcare for every resident of NSW.”
The Premier’s office has been contacted for comment.
