Industry News

The new Hato Hone St John Timaru to Christchurch Ambulance

Hato Hone St John introduced a new specialist transfer ambulance that improves the comfort and technology of transferring patients from Timaru to Christchurch hospitals. It includes a new engine that is more economical, better suspension, and is quieter. This new development improves health and safety, making transfers more comfortable for patients.

SA Ambulance Service introduces a new recruitment campaign, 'Answer the Call'

SA Ambulance Service are seeking to attract volunteers for ambulance services, with their new ‘Answer the Call’ campaign. The campaign will stretch from the Eyre Peninsula to the Limestone Coast. Currently more than 1200 volunteers provide ambulance services to South Australia in 80 locations.

Paramedic receives prestigious Churchill Fellowship to research dementia-friendly ambulances

Ambulance Victoria's MICA paramedic Lindsay Bent received a Churchill Fellowship to research dementiafriendly ambulances. Lindsay hopes to provide a more person-centred, targeted approach to the care and transport of those living with the disease.

The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Awards the Ambulance Service Medals

Five Ambulance Victoria team members have been recognised with the Ambulance Service Medal by the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd). Congratulations to Dr Benjamin Meadley (MICA Paramedic), Carmel Louise Rogers (Senior Team Manager), Brett Drummond (Emergency Management Unit), Julie Faye Miller (Community Emergency Response Team Leader), and Lewis Gerald McDonald (Ambulance Community Officer).

Reaching for the Stars… or Starlink with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia

Director and Australian Stroke Alliance Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bivard, recently had the exciting opportunity to work with Zoe Schofield and the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. To test the integration of the Zeus telehealth platform with Starlink, using power from the aircraft. The successful attempt allowed them to connect a neurologist in Sydney with those at the plane.

Ambulance Tasmania paramedics visit some potential future paramedics

at Claremont College

Ambulance Tasmania paramedics Nikki and Rob (pictured) visited some potential future paramedics at Claremont College. An interactive stall with mannequins and equipment bags were set up for students to explore.

Jordan Emery becomes Ambulance Tasmania CE

It is a pleasure to announce that Jordan Emery has been permanently appointed Chief Executive (CE) of Ambulance Tasmania. Jordan joined the service as Executive Director, Operations in early 2022, and has been filling in as Acting CE for most of this year.

Jordan said it was a privilege to accept the position.

“During my last 18 months with the organisation, I’ve met so many brilliant people who make our small but mighty organisation a success.

“Together everyone delivers a vital service to Tasmania, and Tasmanians have enormous regard and admiration for our people. I share in that admiration, and it fuels my service as a leader.”

Waroona Subcentre donates three AEDs to local police

St John Waroona Sub Centre has contributed to community safety by donating three Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to the Waroona police station. Two of the AEDs will be readily available in police cars, allowing officers to respond swiftly to critical situations, potentially saving valuable minutes in emergency situations. The third AED has been installed externally at the Waroona Police Station. This strategic placement ensures easy access for community members in need 24 hours a day.

The Council of Ambulance Authorities continues to deliver and develop a range of events and programs that will provide members with opportunities to make new connections, learn, develop, and employ new skills.

TheCouncil of Ambulance Authorities (CAA) have big plans for 2023, with a range of events and programs organised that will provide opportunities to learn, develop, and employ new skills.

Congress 2023

The theme of this year's Congress, held in Brisbane from August 1-3, is Inspire, Innovate, Elevate.

As ever, the list of presenters include insightful speakers and subject matter experts from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences, certain to inspire further leadership development innovation.

Congress plays host to a wide number of social events allowing guests to meet or reconnect with industry peers. Events such as the Welcome Reception, Delegate Networking Breakfast, and ICU Later are always popular and well attended.

And of course, as featured on page 32, Congress is a time to recognise the innovation and excellence from amongst all our members across Australasia at the annual CAA Awards for Excellence. This year’s Awards saw our members submit over fifty extremely high calibre entries, recognised by the panel of international judges as being of very high quality and with benefits and application to not only Australasia but internationally as well.

Who will take home a category award or the coveted Star Award on August 2? Stay tuned to our social media handles, newsletter, or the November edition of FIRST to find out.

More information is available at caacongress.net.au

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Women In Leadership Forum

Save the date for the Women in Leadership Forum, to be held on October 26, 2023, at Citadines on Bourke, Melbourne Australia.

The Forum has been developed to help existing and emerging Women in Leadership from amongst the ambulance sector to learn, interact, share stories and new perspectives that allow attendees to flourish in any leadership role.

The program contains impactful, dynamic, and uplifting presentations from inspiring speakers with tools and content that can be applied both professionally and personally.

Tickets are limited. For more information visit caa.net.au/wilforum

Women in Leadership Scholarship

2022 saw CAA launch the inaugural CAA Women in Leadership Scholarship to great success. We are proud to bring the scholarship back for another year.

The scholarship aims to encourage more women to step into leadership roles and to support the further development of current women leaders in the ambulance sector.

This year’s scholarship winner will receive a fully funded one-on-one 12-month virtual leadership course with Julie Piantadosi from Total Coaching Academy valued at over $10,000 AUD. The two runners up will receive a fully funded one-on-one six-month leadership course with Julie valued at $6,000 AUD each. All of the scholarship finalists will receive two group online leadership sessions with Julie.

The scholarship finalists will be announced via CAA socials on September 4, 2023 and the winner will be announced at The CAA Women in Leadership Forum, at the Citadines on Bourke in Melbourne on October 26, 2023.

Our 2022 Scholarship winner, Marinda Thomas says, “The opportunity to grow and develop into the best version of myself has been amazing. It is not an easy journey of self-reflection, but it allows you to be your true authentic self and to work out what feeds your soul.”

Learn about the scholarship at caa.net.au/wilscholarship

Restart a Heart

Did you know that 9 out of 10 people won’t survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest?

Restart a Heart is an initiative co-ordinated in Australia and New Zealand by The Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA), to raise awareness and educate the community about CPR and AEDs. The campaign provides a range of resources including, access to training providers, supporter packs, and videos about restarting a heart.

CAA will plan live events to recognise Restart a Heart Day on October 16, as will our member services. To partner and support the campaign, learn more at restartaheart.net

Job Board

One of the most popular sections of the CAA website is the Job Board. Here you can find a number of roles covering a range of disciplines both clinical and nonclinical, sourced from across Australasia.

We welcome submissions from members services to add a job on the Job Board at no charge – just get in touch to make us part of your recruitment and talent development strategy.

Visit caa.net.au/jobs

External Publications

CAA provide numerous resources for the ambulance services community, including External Publications. The External Publications page shares a wide range of materials from our member services, and beyond. The page highlight’s Member Annual Reports, Member Strategies, and Other External Reports.

Visit caa.net.au/external-reports-and-publications

Every year, May 5th is celebrated as World Hygiene Day. Originally launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2009 as “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands”, the CAA has adopted and adapted the campaign in to, ‘Take Five for Hand Hygiene’.

This campaign highlights the importance of hand hygiene during a paramedic’s time with patients. The campaign is designed to highlight five key moments when dealing with patients and importantly speaks about good hand hygiene and preventing the over-reliance on wearing gloves.

Over the next few pages you can see examples of the posters used to promote good hand hygiene practises in all aspects of patient interaction, and the zones our frontline staff need to be aware of to deliver best practice.

You can learn more by visiting caa.net.au/take5

Recognising the difference between a Patient Zone (red), a Clean Healthcare Worker Zone (green) and a Healthcare Worker Zone (yellow) is essential for determining when hand hygiene is required. Hand hygiene between these areas will minimise the level of microbial burden on patient care equipment, vehicles and frequently touched areas. Follow these simple steps to prevent cross infection between patients and improve overall staff safety.

With every patient interaction, you will come in to contact with multiple surfaces. Hand hygiene between these areas will minimise the level of microbial burden on patient care equipment, vehicles and frequently touched areas. Determining the right type of hand hygiene at each point is essential to prevent cross infection between patients and improve overall staff safety. Please recognise and remember the difference between a Patient Zone (red), a Clean Healthcare Worker Zone (green) and a Healthcare Worker Zone (yellow).