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Western Australian paramedics say they have been asked to work triple overtime eight times in the last three weeks.
This masthead understands a number of emails were sent to staff throughout September, telling paramedics St John had authorised triple overtime for officers in the metropolitan region amid the state’s escalating ramping crisis.
WA paramedic Chris Pike. Credit: Hamish Hastie
Some overtime shifts up for grabs were as long as 12 hours, running from 2pm to 2am.
This masthead understands low staffing numbers and dwindling resources have impacted shift times, which are expected to have contributed to record ramping levels for September.
New figures released on Wednesday revealed ambulances spent more than 7200 hours outside hospitals for a third straight month, meaning September’s ramping numbers are now the highest on record.
Four unions banded together to speak outside of parliament on Wednesday, calling for a five-point plan to address ramping figures, citing fatigue as a real risk of the current crisis.
Christopher Pike, a paramedic of 14 years, and said paramedics were a “canary in the coal mine” when it came to WA’s health system.
“We can’t lose sight that every ramped hour is a patient who needs to be in hospital,” he said.
“The reason that we’re ramped is because the doctors and nurses are overworked and overwhelmed, so we’re just adding to that.
“We’re just another voice, and it frustrates and limits the care that the hospital staff can give.”
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A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said the service was aware of overtime procedures and had procedures in place to manage fatigue.
“St John is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment, by actively working to minimise the risks associated with fatigue,” she said.
“We use a proactive system that minimises potential risks associated with fatigue to the health and safety of all St John personnel.”
Heath Minister Meredith Hammat said the government remained disappointed by the high ramping figures, but reiterated that WA had been through “one of the worst flu seasons in some time”, which had continued through into September.
“We’ve also seen very high numbers of older West Australians in our hospital system who are medically cleared for discharge but not able to be discharged because they can’t find an appropriate care setting for them, whether that’s aged care or whether that’s home care packages,” she said.
Speaking outside government headquarters at Dumas House in West Perth on Wednesday Opposition leader Zempilas said the latest ramping figures was a failure of “absolutely epic proportions”.
“It is an embarrassment for this government. They should be ashamed, and they should be humiliated,” he said.
Health Services Union of WA secretary Naomi McCrae said it was clear fatigue was having an impact on the workforce.
“Our union is united with the other unions and wants to stand strongly with our paramedics is because healthcare is a team effort,” she said.
“It’s an enormous team effort, where every part of the system has to work together, and what we’re seeing is endless pressure on our staff.
“It has to change.”
The Ambulance Employees Association of WA was contacted for comment.
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