Wednesday, September 19, 2007

** Queensland EMS union seeks input into ambulance service audit

** Mob drags female UK medic from ambulance

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** Queensland’s ambulance union is seeking input into the fiscal audit of the state’s ambulance service. ABC (September 18) quoted union secretary Steve Crow as saying his members are keen to have a say in the look-see. Along with highlighting problems with scheduling, recruitment, and staffing, Crow also said delays in offloading patients are also difficulties. He said all of them relate to how the service spends money and how well EMS is delivered. The audit, which will be overseen by a Director-General of the Emergency Services Department, was ordered earlier this week by new Premier Anna Bligh.

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** A female St. Paul’s area paramedic was traumatized Sunday, after being dragged by the hair from her ambulance. The Evening Post (Vicki Mathias/September 18) said the early morning incident, which took place at The Criterion bar, saw the woman pulled from the EMS unit as she was treating a patient. According to the newspaper, a mob of at least 100 people was involved in attack. Several heckled medics during the assault, at the same time as vandalizing the rig’s exterior. Stabbing patient Mohamoud Muse Hassan, 35, died shortly after in hospital. Police have arrested two people in connection with his death, including a 16-year-old girl. Both the ambulance and the uniform worn by practitioner Sarah Hodierne are being scrutinized for evidence in the case. Police continue to investigate.