Tuesday, July 15, 2008
** New South Wales ambulance inquiry hears death threats, bullying, and firearms possession problem at Cowra station
** UK service plans memorial service for Kent air ambulance crew killed decade ago
** New Jersey supervisors ride along with medics after faux KKK hazing
AUSTRALIA NEWS
** Testimony at the inquiry into the New South Wales Ambulance Service continued Monday, with yet another Cowra ambulance officer saying he went on stress leave after excessive bullying. The Sydney Morning Herald (Natasha Wallace/July 15) quoted former station manager Christopher Pollard as saying the last straw leading to his leaving occurred when he found a toy monkey in his office hanging by its neck. The prank came a mere 20 months after medic Christine Hodder hung herself. Pollard’s predecessor also took stress leave from his position. Another Cowra ambulance officer did the same, ending up in hospital suffering from bullying related post-traumatic stress disorder. An unidentified medic rounded out the picture, saying along with bullying, the Cowra station was plagued by providers carrying firearms, driving drunk and issuing death trheats.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** Kent Air Ambulance staff, as well as providers from the South East Coast Ambulance Service are planning a memorial service for three medevac workers killed ten years ago near Burnham. The Kent News (July 14) said the commemoration, which will be held July 25 at Rochester Cathedral, marks a decade since the passing of Mark Darby, Tony Richardson and Graham Budden. The trio perished July 26, 1998 near the area airport.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Tighter oversight has been instituted against a group of Newark, New Jersey medics involved in a faux KKK incident earlier this month. That, at least, is the contention of the United Press International (July 14) which said University Hospital EMS supervisors are now riding along with practitioners to monitor their conduct. University Hospital EMS Director Nancy Hamstra did not indicate what other measures might be directed against offending practitioners. She did say, however, that the incident is being treated as an ill advised hazing with no racial overtones. The service’s action comes after photos made it into the media showing a uniformed provider standing next to two white sheet clad people baring wooden crosses.
