NSW Paramedics have launched a week of industrial action, as the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) escalates demands for better resourcing and pay. Until Friday, APA (NSW) has placed a complete ban on ‘staff movements’—meaning Paramedics will refuse to split from crewmates or travel from their designated station to fill roster gaps elsewhere.
“Refusing staff movements means refusing to abandon your community to help the service cover up for shortfalls somewhere else” APA (NSW) President Chris Kastelan commented “NSW deserves a properly resourced healthcare system.”
Mr. Kastelan said that the action pressures the NSW Government to ensure adequate staffing, since staff movements are routinely used to reallocate crews at the last minute when the service is short-staffed.
“It’s completely unacceptable that we’re relying on a last-minute reshuffle of scant resources to get a single ambulance to our communities. We want enough crews on the road to cover the rosters. This shouldn’t be a radical proposal.” Mr. Kastelan commented. Mr. Kastelan explained that this week’s industrial action is an escalation from APA (NSW), who have this year implemented several rounds of 24-hour bans on staff movements and responding to low-acuity patient transfers. The union is demanding 1,500 more Paramedics, a genuine pay increase, and investment in referral networks and specialist Paramedic programs to improve quality of care across NSW.
“Paramedics are at breaking point after three exhausting years responding to floods, fires, and the COVID-19 pandemic. We have pushed beyond the limits of fatigue to be there for our communities. After years of empty thanks, this Government has turned its back as we’re asking for the basic resourcing we need to do our jobs.” Mr. Kastelan commented “It’s heartbreaking and disappointing, but it would be a huge mistake to think that Paramedics will give up. We’re fighting for a better healthcare service for ourselves, our patients, and our communities. We need decisive action from this Government to guarantee a safer, fairer workplace, and to improve healthcare for every resident of NSW.” Mr. Kastelan said that the action comes as ambulance resourcing hits new crisis points across the state. Early on Monday afternoon metro Sydney was again at ‘Status 3’, the highest emergency designation, with 104 patients waiting for a response and just one transport ambulance available.