Tuesday, September 4, 2007

** Queensland politico calls for inquiry into state EMS

** New South Wales medics gain Death and Disability compensation

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** A Queensland politician is calling for an inquiry into the state’s ambulance service, saying patient lives are being endangered by staff shortages. Yahoo Xtra (September 3) quoted Opposition Leader Jeff Seeney at a press conference in Brisbane. Seeney told reporters the public has lost confidence in the service. His comments come after a Saturday night where three of the city’s northside stations were closed due to staff illness. In another instance, a 98-year-old woman had to wait two hours for EMS aid after taking a fall in the southeastern part of the state. EMS brass, meanwhile, downplayed Seeney’s take on matters. Deputy commissioner Neil Kirby said dynamic deployment was used to fill in areas where staff was absent.

** New South Wales ambulance staff will soon have a new Death and Disability Scheme added to their benefits. That is the word from the Northern Star (Samantha Healy/September 3) which said the compensation comes after medics last week implemented a paperwork ban to protest their unsettled contract. Far North Coast Health Services Union Ambulance sub-branch president Ben Fisher said the benefit is a small victory on a long road yet to travel. According to the newspaper, the scheme will be retroactive to November 10, 2006 and will see practitioners injured on the job financially supported. At the same time, LODD families will also receive monetary compensation. Thirty million will be added to the fund by 2011 along with a $4.8 million back payment.