Australian Paramedics Association (NSW)
Quarterly Newsletter Issue 13, Winter 2020
APA (NSW) Newsletter Issue 13
CONTENTS Executive Update: APA (NSW) President Chris Kastelan reflects on the ongoing crisis of Paramedic fatigue and workload.
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Delegate Profile: Hear from APA (NSW) Delegate Janna DaRos, a Paramedic at Boggabri Station.
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10 Questions with Tony: Anthony Redford chats to Lucas Hawkins from Boggabri Station.
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Through the Eyes of a Dinosaur: Wayne Flint reflects on his time as a Paramedic as as an advocate with APA (NSW).
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Cardillo Gray Case Note: Can an employer sack a worker if they have tatoos or an unusual hairstyle?
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Registration and the Paramedicine Council Information Sheet
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Member Profile: Ben Gilmour
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Crib breaks: how to stand up for your wellbeing
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FAQ: Professional Indemnity Insurance
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COVID-19: What we've won and why we need to fight to keep it Summary of Member Updates
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Crisis point CHRIS KASTELAN - APA (NSW) PRESIDENT
“Are you refusing duty”? While the dispatcher might have to say these words, make no mistake, the push to make Paramedics stretch themselves to the limit to hold together a failing health system has always come from the top. Workloads are always increasing, yet NSW Health cannot or will not plan for our current and future workloads. Our Minimum Operating Levels (MOLs) have not changed since 2010. While we are told at Wellness Week and on 'Thank a Paramedic Day' that our mental health and wellbeing is important, the operational and procedural key performance indicators (KPI’s) don’t reflect that this is a priority. We are at crisis point. Paramedics are constantly in high-stress environments and we deal with an enormous workload and sky-high expectations. We face the ‘perfect storm’ of a fatigue-inducing workload every day, with NSW Ambulance redirecting crews across-zone-andsector lines; Paramedics unable to work due to burn out and fatigue; ever increasing demand and; under-resourced hospitals. With professional registration comes the obligation to complete and maintain skills and training, sustain a good rapport with our communities, hold professional indemnity insurance, hold a current WWCC, and more. These requirements are in place so we can make decisions on behalf of the patient and the employer. Yet NSW Ambulance and NSW
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Health throw all this out the window when a Paramedic says: “I am really tired, I have no resilience left, I'm not sure I can continue on. I really need something to eat and drink. I am not refusing duty, simply assessing my needs and telling you I need to have a break before I can safely work.” They seem to only respect our opinion when it suits them. How is it that an organisation mandated to provide an ambulance service to communities, ruled by medical and clinical standards, the Work Health and Safety Act, stringent organisational policies and procedures, safety alerts and standard operating procedures, can also neglect its own employees to such an extent? I don’t know about you, but I often feel like I am being made a scapegoat for a failing system. I am asked if it is my fault that I can’t keep going, rather than if it is the service failing to appropriately resource the zone, sector or state. As any Paramedic will tell you, we will push through a lot of things. Requesting breaks in this way is not something most Paramedics do, unless the situation is dire. The situation is dire. When a Paramedic asks for a break, it is a cry for help, not a refusal of duty.
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If you require a break due to fatigue, raise your work health and safety obligations. On page 12 we look at what language you can use to respectfully and reasonably ask for an appropriate, safe break.
unsure who your local delegate is, contact the APA (NSW) office on (02) 9564 3261 and we can help you find them.
If you are challenged, then you should contact your local APA (NSW) delegate immediately. If you are Paramedic asks for a break, it is a cry for help, not a refusal of duty.
D E L E G AT E P R O F I L E : J A N N A D A R O S What is your name, role, and station? My name is Janna and I am a P1 stationed at beautiful Boggabri in the New England. However, I am currently doing 6 months as one of the HRMs for Hunter New England. What do you do outside of your life as a Paramedic and Delegate? I have twins so my new hobbies include play dates at the park, playing with Lego and cleaning up after they terrorise the house. Otherwise I enjoy anything outside, especially if it involves escaping to the beach for a weekend. Why did you become a delegate? I became a delegate because I really enjoy being a Paramedic. I wanted to
make sure that it continues to be a great job and that the Paramedics who are doing the grunt work every day get a say in how the role evolves. What are challenges unique to your zone? An ongoing issue in the New England is long distance transfers. We are also waiting to see how the future enhancements to staffing and stations will impact our rosters and staffing levels as we currently have lots of on-call
existing in the New England. So, there is much speculation about how that will change over the next couple of years. Other issues we are facing is on-going drought that is really wearing down all of the community. This summer, we experienced many devastating bushfires. What do you find most rewarding about being a delegate? Being able to see positive changes occur. What does solidarity mean to you? To me it means being part of a group of like-minded people. I think ambos are really good at this. Whether it’s the same sense of black humour or rallying around each other after the hard jobs we are there for each other when it counts. Do you work in New England Sector and need some advice? Your local delegates are: Janna DaRos (Boggabri Station) at janna.daros@health.nsw.gov.au Lucas Hawkins (Boggabri Station) at lucas.hawkins@health.nsw.gov. au Karen Taylor (Murrundi Station) at karen.taylor@health.nsw.gov.au
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HOW CAN AN APA (NSW) MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT YOU? One of the many benefits of an APA (NSW) membership is our partnership with qoctor. qoctor allows you to book a video consultation from the comfort of home, with an experienced Australian doctor. • • • •
Guaranteed same day appointment if you book before 18:30! Special rate of $17.99 for APA (NSW) members! Immediately download your medical certificate! qoctor provides prescriptions and medication, which can be delivered to your home.
Head to qoctor.com.au
10 QUESTIONS W I T H T O N Y: L U C A S HAWKINS How long have you been a Paramedic? 4 years What’s your favourite code 20? Pizza Favourite sport? Baseball What’s your favourite movie? 'The Green Mile' Cats or dogs? Dogs What do you do to relax? Drink beer If you had a spare $1000 what would you spend it on? Probably my car Favourite place to go on holiday? Desert country What’s the best thing about being a Paramedic? The variety of work and meeting new people If you could change one thing about NSW Ambulance what would it be? Jeez, where do you start?
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Do you want your moment in the spotlight? Get in contact with APA (NSW) delegate Anthony Redford.
Winter 2020
THROUGH THE EYES OF A DINOSAUR WAYNE FLINT FORMER APA (NSW) SECRETARY AND LIFE MEMBER I was once referred to as a Paramedic but long before that, I was called a number of things. The most important being called an Ambo. On the other side of the scale I also got called a Zambuck, Stretcher Bearer and even a Meat Wagon Driver. So, you can see from that introduction that I became a serving member of the NSW Ambulance Service before many of today’s Ambulance stock were even born, hence the reference to dinosaurs. To be precise it was November 1981! Education was different then. I estimated that in my first 10 years in the job I had actually spent a cumulative one year at Rozelle and other Training Centres. Level 1, Level 2, Rescue, Advanced Roping, Intermediate Life Support,
Advanced Life Support and so on. I guess I didn’t do too bad for a guy who failed his First Aid Course at school back in the '60s in Campbelltown. At my first Level 2 me and my other probie mates, we were called Blue Boys (and if you know the reasoning for that you have been in the job a long time). We were interspersed with an equal number of Ambos who I then classified as dinosaurs. My buddies and I of course were the newbies on the block with heaps of intelligence and street cred. I was lucky I was around 26 years of age which made me mature. In age only, I was later to find out! So in amongst this group of Ambos we asked the question, “how come some of these guys are in the job? They don’t seem
that smart." After all, from what we had learned at our Level 1 seven months prior we seemed to know more about anatomy and physiology than they did, and we obviously had our heads so far up our arses we could just about see out of our mouths. So where am I going with this? I sat down one day with an old guy from Ulladulla called John. I didn’t know it, but he was a legend back
"They equipped me with a box of band aids, splints, bandages and Entonox. Yep that was it." in Ulladulla, despite the tag I had labelled them all with. It was only after sitting down over a few beers with John and listening to some of his experiences that I realised how much he and many of these other guys knew. It wasn’t their knowledge of physiology; their anatomy was pretty good. But physiology was as new to them as it had been to me when I started my Level 1. What I realised very quickly was that these guys had a survival instinct, and in most cases that meant good outcomes for their
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patients despite the lack of training available back then and the knowledge we were equipped with. The greatest asset I could see that these guys had was the ability to improvise and work as single officers under exceptionally trying conditions. As I said, they saved most but also lost some
through either lack of training or equipment. I don’t think that’s changed much, given my intimate knowledge of the number of individuals trotted before the boss for stuffing up. It’s just different errors now. As my time in the service passed, I didn’t just witness history in the making, I was a part of it. Back to my Level 1, I left there equipped with more knowledge than I ever thought I had the capacity to absorb. I was working in Central District Ambulance as it was then known (Metro) in Area 8 (Liverpool), and they equipped me with a box of band aids, splints, bandages and Entonox. Yep that was it. The old guys used to talk about the good old days with Tryline (Dry Cleaning Fluid) as an analgesic. I even saw some of the old gear and felt lucky to be well equipped and working two to a car. Things have changed dramatically, some for the good and some not so. I recall being able to work all over NSW and the Government
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paid for it, including all the school clothes for my kids, but that got traded off didn’t it! So too did my right to be paid a Call Out (4 hours at OT) if I was called to shift early, even if it was only a couple of minutes before start time. Again, traded off in the Second Tier Pay Rise of '88! Didn’t seem to be a pay rise to me, I lost money! It was great to be able to go on strike and march on the McKell Building at Central in '82 which was Ambulance Administration Headquarters, but the State took those rights away as well. I think the bad things outweigh the good despite the introduction of the best vehicles we ever had, drugs, monitors (we raised most of the money for the first Ladel Heartstarts despite a great donation by the late Kerry Packer) and various equipment. It was good to have my increased skills recognised and this also came with a pay rise. I seem to be back to the bad things again, in the days of us dinosaurs we were expected to go out and
"...just think if you go the distance, you too might become a dinosaur like me" raise money from the public to gain such things, today it appears the service will pay for the product but they don’t pay for the upgrade in your skill set. Are they just bean counters paying homage to their own bosses at the expense of their workers, I ask you? My years are full of stories that not many of the new brigade will even contemplate as truthful, like
a barbie on downtime watching the footy on Saturday afternoon. Surprised I lasted the distance! After 28 years of on call, supposed to be a maximum of 14 per month on a 28 day roster (straight 8) which usually turned into about 20 per month, then a 4 x 5 followed by a 4 x 4 with no meal breaks and still doing more on call than required, a telephone is the most hated thing on the planet by me. I have a landline into my house for NBN, but no phone attached I don’t even know the house number. The anxiety of the phone going off in the middle of the night is a remnant and stark reminder of the PTSD symptoms that once haunted me but are now long gone. One thing which is very clear, and it seems to continue, is the dedication to the job. Your most important person is your next patient! I look back and I don’t miss the job, I miss my mates and my working environment. I don’t miss managers trying to balance the books at the expense of me or my mates. But when asked if there is anything else I would have preferred to do, the answer is NO! I wouldn’t change too much. So you might be looking at this and thinking silly old bastard with his war stories and memories which may even be distorted with time, a bit like the fish that got away, but just think if you go the distance, you too might become a dinosaur like me. Bear in mind the old guy you might have to work with next shift has also done the hard yards as well and there is a lot to be learnt from them if you try.
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CASE NOTE
Can an employer sack a worker if they have tattoos or an unusual hairstyle?
Is there an issue you want to know more about? Do you want to contribute to the next newsletter? Let us know by emailing admin@apansw.com.au We would love to hear from new Paramedics who have just started on the job, as well as retired Paramedics.
Generally speaking, there is no law that protects a person's appearance and there is nothing stopping an employer setting reasonable standards of dress and appearance. Whilst tattoos in recent years have become increasingly popular in Australia and that the public perception of persons with tattoos has changed some tattoos can be considered to be inappropriate and in extreme cases vulgar. We also see some fairly different hair colouring such as pink, green and purple hair as well as facial piercings. For some businesses, image and appearance is of critical importance and as such those businesses are entitled to set an enforceable standard of appearance which takes into account hair colour and styles, tattoos, dress and facial piercing. An employer can refuse to employ a prospective job applicant on the basis that they do not meet the employer’s appearance policy/ standard. Having said that an employer cannot ban tattoos in principle where those tattoos are not visible when the employee is wearing their normal clothing or employer’s uniform. In order to have an enforceable code of appearance or policy the employer must have an “official” policy known to its employees which clearly sets out the terms of the policy. It is also important that new employees are informed of the policy and in fact all employer policies. The employer must enforce the policy across all employees. Allowing an employee to work in breach of such a policy
could impede the disciplining of other employees for breaching the same policy. Failure to comply with a reasonable and lawful direction of an employer can constitute a valid reason for dismissal of an employee. Employee policies are of course subject to the Fair Work Act and the anti-discrimination legislation in various States and Territories. If a hairstyle or tattoo is a part of the person’s culture or religion, then the enforcement of a code of appearance may amount to discrimination. We all know that it is a part of the culture of people from Polynesian countries to have tattoos and in fact in New Zealand it is a part of the Indigenous culture for women to have facial tattoos. In the Apostolic Pentecostal religion women are not allowed to cut their hair or wear makeup; some orthodox Jewish men wear beards and side curls; Sikh men generally do not cut their hair and wear turbans as a part of their religion and culture; there are many examples of religious and cultural practices in multicultural Australia that are protected by law and override employer’s codes of practice.
This article has been prepared by Tony Cardillo, principle of Cardillo Gray Partners. You are invited to call Cardillo Gray Partners should you require additional information on this subject.
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APA (NSW) Newsletter Issue 13
CURRENT ISSUE
Registration and Paramedicine Council consider suspending or imposing restrictions on your registration if there is an immediate risk or if it is otherwise in the public interest.
Practitioner Regulation Agency of our decisions so it can update the national register of health practitioners
They describe their role as “not to punish or discipline practitioners. When we take action, the protection of the health and safety of the public is our primary consideration.”
• Monitor the practitioner’s compliance with any conditions (conditions on their registration or restricting their practice)
They also ensure that practitioners and students comply with any conditions on their registration that restrict their practice.
We have had incidences of supporting members through the process of Paramedicine Council of NSW referrals from their employer. Overall, we give credit to the panels we have worked with that have aligned well with the core values of our industry, with a transparent process and understanding of the associated stress these processes cause for Paramedics who wake up every day wanting to do the best for their community. The Council’s role is to manage complaints about the conduct, performance and health of registered health practitioners and students in NSW. They describe their focus as ensuring safe professional practice, maintaining public safety and minimising risk. Their role is to assess the seriousness of the alleged conduct or behaviour and any information received, along with the risk of recurrence. They may hold an urgent hearing and can act to protect the public and
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As part of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, they manage complaints together with the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC). This involves the sharing of information and making joint decisions on the most effective and efficient ways of handling complaints. Actions that may be taken by the Paramedicine Council may include: • Make further inquiries with the practitioner • Require the practitioner to attend a health and/or performance assessment • Hold a panel or committee meeting to decide whether or not they need to restrict the practitioner’s practice • Direct the practitioner to attend counselling
• Determine that no further action is required In the unfortunate circumstance where a referral is made involving our members, we will work with you in preparing and navigating this process including the provision of a support person should a tribunal hearing be required. For more information, visit: • https://www. paramedicinecouncil.nsw.gov.au/ • https://www. paramedicinecouncil.nsw.gov.au/ what-we-do-0 • https://www. paramedicinecouncil.nsw.gov.au/ list-fact-sheets • https://www.hccc.nsw.gov. au/Complaints/Complaint-Process
Thanks to APA (NSW) Delegate Jeff Andrews for putting together this information.
• Refer a complaint for investigation to the HCCC or another person or body, such as a hospital or agency •
Advise the Australian Health
Gavel icon made by Freepik from Flaticon
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MEMBER PROFILE
Benjamin Gilmour Benjamin Gilmour is a Paramedic, writer and filmmaker. He is the author of the books ‘Warrior Poets’ (Pier 9) and ‘Paramedico – Around the World by Ambulance’ (HarperCollins), a tie-in with his recent film of the same name. His latest book, ‘The Gap’, is published by Penguin Random House. He lives in Northern NSW, Australia. Content note: this interview contains discussions of mental illness, suicide and trauma. Can you tell us a bit about your book? 'The Gap' is about the summer of 2007/08 working as a Paramedic at Bondi, the closest response to Australia's infamous suicide spot at Watson's Bay. It was an exceptionally turbulent period for ambulance staff in the Eastern Suburbs and Central Sydney, as I reveal in the book. A heatwave, combined with the craziness of Kings Cross, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills areas pre-lockout laws and a spike in the suicide rate contributed to the impact that relationship breakdowns, my work partner John Dixon and I were having, on our private lives. It was a lethal mix with terrible consequences.
highly curated Ambulance reality shows (or 'unreality shows' as I call them). I wanted 'The Gap' to be gritty and unsanitized, to tell it how it is, to reveal our vulnerabilities, The book seems to be resonating our humanity, and explore the really strongly with both impact of the work on our mental Paramedics and non-paramedics health. alike. Who were you thinking of In trying to make 'The Gap' when you were writing it? appeal to Paramedics, it's turned I wanted to connect with both but out pretty confronting for the underestimated how challenging public. Some of it's outrageous, this would be. Firstly, it wasn't I admit. But an artist needs to be going to be a hero memoir. That bold. There's no point beating might work for general readers, around the bush, especially about but not Paramedics. My approach serious issues like depression and was honesty and authenticity. It suicide. At the same time, who was time for a counterpunch to the wants to read a misery memoir?
So, it was important to draw out as much humour as possible too. This ended up being the most unsettling factor for me. Would non-paramedic readers be able to digest the Paramedic sense of humour? Finding that balance was hard, but worth the effort. I was grateful 'The Gap' was released by Penguin Random House who've got a brilliant team of editors and helped with the tone. Paramedics deal with traumatic situations every day, but generally you’ll always have someone there with you. Why
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do you think emergency service workers often feel isolated in their experience of mental illness/injury?
Are your creative pursuits a useful tool for you in processing the situations you encounter through your Paramedic work?
You're right to say our work partners help us ride those waves of a job that has horrific lows. But where are they on our day's off? I think often we go from Paramedics we consider brothers and sisters and whom we share character traits with, to days off spent alone or with nonParamedics who may not understand us like our colleagues do.
It helps. I've always written notes, observations, funny or tragic jobs, bits of dialogue. People have different ways of processing. I know plenty of paramedics who keep diaries. But it's not for
There's also the selfisolation, which I've observed over the years in myself and others. I've got theories about this. Part of it, I think, is not wanting to be a patient. We're conditioned to be the help, not need the help. We're fatigued by the rising number of 'psych jobs', many at ungodly hours of the night. Last thing we want is to be one of them. It's certainly not in my nature to reach out if I'm depressed. Being conscious of this fact is important. Self-awareness is the first step in breaking unhealthy patterns. There are many reasons people feel isolated through the mental injuries and it's hugely important to identify colleagues who are selfisolating. Because a loss of (or lack of) connection is a huge factor in severe depression and suicidality.
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everyone. For others it's running or swimming, hiking or fishing. I like writing, music and surfing. Engaging with nature is good. I think there's something about the beauty of nature that helps to relieve the pain of the human
experience. Working at Bondi for a decade I'd pass the beach between jobs. Just a glimpse of the ocean was usually enough to get me through busy days. Are employers letting employees down when it comes to mental health? Because ambulance services in Australia are so huge, change can be slow. Even when all the right mental health strategies are introduced, there'll be individual managers asleep at the wheel when it comes to staff wellbeing. In saying that, anti-bullying campaigns and the raft of new wellbeing workshops and strategies are extraordinary. Improved monitoring of incidents likely to need follow up, such as the significant events register, are also great achievements. New Paramedics can thank their predecessors, many who suffered greatly and fought hard for a healthy, positive, nurturing workplace. It takes time to win trust, especially with veteran Paramedics who are still hurting from being let down in the past. But we are heading in the right direction and I've noticed a terrific positive change in the past 2-3 years.
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What more can employers do to support the mental health of their staff? It's great to have Peer Support Officers, Chaplains and counsellors available, and we're in no short supply, which is excellent. But these are part of a reactive approach to staff mental health. While it's pleasing to see a focus on prevention and resilience in wellbeing workshops in the form of fitness, diet and mindfulness, what I've heard many Paramedics talking about recently is the negative impact of operational matters, predominantly rostering. A focus on cost-saving rosters over those that work for Paramedic wellbeing and career longevity for instance, seems to be undermining faith in the notion that staff wellbeing is paramount. Because the vast majority of Paramedics know how essential those 5 days off are to their mental health. While your book covers a great deal of pain and trauma, what sticks out is a sense of solidarity, and the love and compassion you have for your fellow Paramedic. What role does solidarity have in the mental health of Paramedics? Huge. In fact, I think solidarity and camaraderie, the feeling of being part of a family, is one of the greatest joys of the job, and vital
to career longevity. It's similar to what soldiers experience, fighting alongside one another. They rely on each another for survival, not just in the physical sense, but mentally and emotionally. I absolutely wanted to convey this sense of solidarity in 'The Gap', particularly our shared black humour. We're not islands, we can't come to work and sit in that ambulance with another person and be thrown into all manner of drama together without it creating a deep bond. And because of this truly unique relationship, we need to take care of it, to treat it with care. We can't just walk away from our partner at the end of shift without feeling confident they're okay. If this is your brother or your sister and there's any doubt as to whether they're okay, speak up, follow up. Don't let the sun go down on that doubt.
won't find any pictures of me in uniform online. I took painstaking care with patient privacy matters. I had manuscript assessments by psychologists and lawyers and so on. A book like this is not a simple undertaking. Retire first, is my advice! Why is being a member of APA (NSW) important to you? As a member of APA from the outset, I've witnessed some terrific wins the association had early on. It's proactive, responsive and very good at communicating with members.
Is it difficult publishing a memoir like this while still employed? Yes. I know the ambulance media policy inside out, believe me. It's pasted on the back of my toilet door. The Gap is absolutely an unofficial memoir. My personal views do not represent those of any organisation. I was very careful to avoid comment on policy or identify directly as an employee of a particular service, and you
Not a member of APA (NSW) yet? Join today!n Head to apansw.com.au/join-apa-nswm 11
CRIB BREAKS AND YOUR WELLBEING
APA (NSW) Newsletter Issue 13
Your wellbeing
What should I say?
For every twelve hours worked, you are entitled to two 30 minute crib breaks, and you should never be assigned to any jobs lower than a Priority 1 (including 2i cases) in your crib window.
“We would like to assist, however the Crib Break Operating Procedure and Dispatch Work Instruction 6.02 Paramedic Crib Breaks both state that our crib should not be interrupted or missed due to any job that is not a Priority 1. We request to crib at our home station.”
You should only be cribbed away if it would take an excessive amount of time to return to your home station. You should never be cribbed away without the dispatcher notifying you.
“Thank you for the offer, however our home made meals are refrigerated at our home station. We can return to our home station in reasonable time and would prefer to do so to access our meals.”
You should never be pressured to crib on air if you do not elect to.
“As we have been directed to crib away and cannot access our home made meals we need to find the healthiest option available to us before beginning our crib.”
You can always esclatate issues to your DOM, or call your local delegate for advice. If you’re not sure who your local delegate is, contact the APA (NSW) Office on 9564 3261. Follow the QR code to participate in our survey on crib breaks! 12
Winter 2020
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Professional Indemnity Insurance Does APA (NSW) offer Professional Indemnity Insurance? YES!
Gallagher's insurance for Paramedics features some of the following key policy benefits:
What is Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)?
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Civil liability cover
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Good Samaritans Act
Professional Indemnity Insurance protects your livelihood and your reputation, providing a range of covers for what you do in your profession, including protection against legal action and financial loss, such as legal costs and damage resulting from alleged malpractice or professional misconduct
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Voluntary services
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Australia-wide cover
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Automatic reinstatements
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Inquiry costs
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Run-off cover
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The security of an AHPRAapproved insurer
What am I covered for? Gallagher's insurance covers APA (NSW) members for the rendering of or failure to render first aid and assistance in a situation by an insured person outside the normal course of their regular employment.
Who do I contact if I want to find out exactly what I'm covered for? Either contact the APA (NSW) office, or the insurer directly. We work with Tracey Friedland at Gallagher Insurance, available at 07 3387 1915. Where can I access the Insurance Policy? You were sent the Insurance Policy in your Welcome Pack. If you don't have it, or by our error did not receive it, send the office an email and they will send you a copy straight away!
The policy may apply in situations where your employer’s policy does not operate to defend against a claim. Does APA (NSW) PII cover me for everywhere? It covers you everywhere except the United States of America and Canada.
G E T I N V O LV E D W I T H A PA ( N S W )
BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER We love all our members! But those that respond to surveys, keep up to date on their member updates, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram have a special place in our hearts. BE A SUPPORTER If you are interested in increasing your involvement, but not sure if you have the time to be a delegate, being a supporter might be for you! SUPPORTERS distribute material like APA (NSW) posters, newsletters, and Keep Cups, to their station and nearby stations. They can participate in quarterly delegate teleconferences and let APA (NSW) know what’s happening on the ground. This is also a really great way to start to be involved
with the union and learn from our experienced delegates! BE A DELEGATE APA (NSW) delegates are an amazing and diverse group! Some love meeting with local politicians, others know the Leave Matters policy back to front, and some sit on advisory committees for APA (NSW). A delegate is responsible for providing accurate industrial advice and support to members. Our delegates represent APA (NSW) across NSW. NOMINATE FOR THE EXECUTIVE Our Executive Committee is made up of three committee members, as well as the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, President and Vice President.
APA (NSW) has annual elections and positions are for two years. Executive Committee members act on what our members tell us, shaping the priorities of the organisation each year. Executive Committee members also work as delegates, attending high level meetings as well as supporting individual members in their zones. If you want to be more involved, contact your local delegate or APA (NSW) Organiser Catherine on 0432 415 303
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COVID-19
What we've won and why we need to fight to keep it COVID-19 has been hard on everyone. Paramedics have been on the frontline of the crisis, often with unclear guidance on their Personal Protective Equipment requirements, leave entitlements, and hospital handover procedures. APA (NSW) delegates have been fighting hard to achieve some key outcomes for staff. Some fights we haven’t won, and these are continuing. However, we have had some important changes to your working conditions, and we are going to have to fight hard to make sure these remain in place. Mobile Make Ready Teams APA (NSW) fought hard to get Mobile Make Ready Teams up and running. These teams reduce hospital wait times and help staff on alternative duties stay engaged with their friends and colleagues while not on road. These teams should be permanent fixtures of every hospital.
cars on road led to new ambulances being built by NSW Ambulance. These ambulances will feature Lucas devices, EZIOs and new carry chairs with caterpillar legs. While these cars are going to be Intensive Care Paramedic cars, we will be closely monitoring the impact of the new equipment and will be advocating the roll out to all ambulances. Accommodation After successful advocacy by the APA (NSW) Executive, NSW Health agreed to provide Paramedics with accommodation if they required it due to COVID-19. We need this to be available to any Paramedic who believes they have been exposed to a viral disease at work.
Updated equipment
Station cleaning
The push to get more
APA (NSW) delegates
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have been fighting for years and years to achieve regular station cleaning for all stations, including rural stations. Presumptive Workers Compensation After great work from APA (NSW) Executive and Greens MP David Shoebridge, an amendment was passed through Parliament ensuring that if you contracted COVID-19 you would automatically be entitled to workers compensation. Parking APA (NSW) members at the SAC successfully ensured that they would have access to free parking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now we need to fight to make sure no Paramedic has to pay for parking again.
PARAMEDICS AND CONTROL CENTRE OFFICERS (STATE) AWARD
INDUSTRIAL QUIZ You're transferring stations, and you are told that you have to use up your annual leave before you can transfer. Is this correct?
Answer While it is common practice for staff to be asked to use up their excess annual leave before transferring, you cannot be forced to take leave without six months notice. You can only be directed to take leave if you have an excess balance. This is covered under Section 5, Clause 29 (e) (iv), which states "at least six months' notice shall be given to employees of the date on which they shall take their annual leave"
Winter 2020
MEMBER UPDATES March COVID-19 Update APA (NSW) were advised that NSWA call takers would be asking additional questions for potential COVID-19 cases. We highlighted the importance of following PPE instructions properly. Protecting our newest members APA (NSW) were made aware of instances where RPL Paramedic trainees were being given on-call duties in regional areas, going against education protocols set by NSWA. APA (NSW) demanded this practice cease immediately. Vehicle Movements APA (NSW) stood against senseless requests for Paramedics to perform vehicle movements, as it impacted Paramedic and patient wellbeing and safety. APA (NSW) calls on the NSW Government to declare a State of Emergency We wrote to the NSW Government urging them to declare a State of Emergency for COVID-19 to better protect the health and safety of frontline health workers. NSW Ambulance Wake Up! APA (NSW) are concerned about NSWA's proposal to introduce 250 Paramedic students into the workforce. It posed risks to Paramedics, students and patients.
We raised our concerns repeatedly with NSWA.
April Request to reschedule annual leave denied
accommodation should be sought through the NSWA public health team hotline on (02) 6118 7888
May Major award case progress update
APA (NSW) requested that NSWA allow Paramedics to reschedule annual leave to assist in bolstering the workforce to help our colleagues, and prevent us from sitting at home for weeks on end.
APA (NSW) have been working hard to build a major award case by demonstrating how we have increased and improved service to our communities and added to the health system with expanded skills.
APA (NSW) calls for accommodation for all Paramedics
Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program
APA (NSW) pushed the NSW Government and Health Minister Hazzard to provide accommodation to Paramedics and our frontline colleagues if we have to isolate due to COVID-19.
We were informed that NSWA had developed a PAD program without consultation. We are disappointed in the lack of transparency, and would like NSWA to provide more information to Paramedics
Members win fight to keep allowance Protect your crib breaks Our ACCO members successfully stopped NSWA from cutting an allowance they have been paid for over 30 years. Update on accommodation for frontline workers After 3 weeks, we received information from the NSW Government on the accommodation. It is available to frontline health workers who have COVID-19 or are awaiting test results, those who live with vulnerable and high-risk family and those working extended hours with short shift changes. We have been told that access to
We are being pushed to crib away for area coverage and crib on air, and we're still missing out on our breaks. We are urging members to claim our cribs on station as often as possible. Flu Vax for Paramedics On 24 March, the NSW Government made a Public Health Order stating that all people entering or working at a Residential Aged Care Facility must be vaccinated with this year's flu shot. NSW Ambulance didn't inform staff that they had to be vaccinated by 1 May until 27 April.
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