Wednesday, March 9, 2011

** South Australian medics threaten industrial action

** Gadaffi forces shoot Libyan medics during body recovery attempt

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** South Australia paramedics are threatening strike over what they say are unacceptable offload delays at Adelaide’s Flinders Medical Center. That is the word from The Advertiser (Daniel Wills/March 8) which said crisis talks are now underway between the state government and the EMS union. Quoting Ambulance Employees’ Association state secretary Phil Palmer, the newspaper said paperwork bans could begin with as little as one report of improper delays at the site. Palmer said while he would prefer to resolve the problem of practitioners waiting 2 hours + peacefully, medics are essentially crying out to the public for action to be taken. Health Minister John Hill said while he sympathized with EMS’ plight, limited hospital resources could restrict a resolution.

LIBYA NEWS

** Ongoing unrest in Libya has put several medics under fire, with two Red Crescent practitioners wounded last Thursday while attempting to retrieve a body. The Internet site of Amnesty International (March 4) said the incident took place near Misratah when forces loyal to Gaddafi shot the providers from a Hamza Phalange military installation. Lasting about three minutes, the gunfire also damaged one of the two ambulances in the prehospital convoy. One medic sustained bullet splinters in the forearm, while the other was hit in the chin.