Monday, December 10, 2007

** Montreal medics avert strike

** Queensland firefighters to take on medical duties

CANADA NEWS

** Paramedics in Montreal and Laval, Quebec will not be going on strike after all. That is the word from The Montreal Gazette (December 9) which said Urgences Sante practitioners have now agreed to settle their contract. The newspaper said details of the deal were not being given out. No date has been set for a vote on the proposed agreement. Workers have been without a contract since June 30, 2005.

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** Queensland firefighters are up in arms after a decision to have them attend more medical emergencies. The Courier Mail (Darrell Giles/December 8) said the idea, which will see fire engines carry defibrillators and first response equipment, is being derided as a recipe for disaster. One unidentified fire worker said the concept was crazy and endangered patients. The initiative, however, is being touted as a way to deal with skyrocketting EMS call volumes.