Wednesday 22 April 2009

REES GOVT FAILS TO MEET AMBULANCE DEADLINE: NO RESPONSE TO INQUIRY

More than 6 months after an inquiry into the NSW Ambulance was handed down, the Rees Labor Government has failed to deliver a response, says the Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner and inquiry Chair Robyn Parker MLC.

The Inquiry, chaired by Liberal MLC Robyn Parker, found the State Labor Government had neglected issues like bullying, harassment, low morale and the lack of confidence in ambulance management.

“It’s not surprise ambulance officers across NSW are disillusioned – the Rees Labor Government has even bothered to officially respond to this important inquiry,” Mrs Skinner said.

“Health Minister John Della Bosca’s failure to respond shows he’s just not interested in addressing ambulance officers concerns,” she said.

Ms Parker said the inquiry findings were handed to the Rees Labor Government on 20 October 2008, and a response was required by Monday 20th April.

“The Inquiry into the Operations and Management of the NSW Ambulance Service raised serous issues, but so far, we’ve seen nothing from the Rees Government,” Mrs Skinner said.

“Given the seriousness of the concerns raised in the inquiry, such as bullying and harassment, suicide, low staff morale and a lack of confidence in the Service’s management, I think Ambulance Officers deserve better than silence,” she said.

“In fact one of the issues raised in the inquiry involved the drawn out process of grievances and complaints handling, which often exacerbated the problems.

“Given this, one has to wonder how long does the Rees Labor Government plans to draw out their response to this report?

“Ambulance officers do a fantastic job on the frontline of our health system, they deserve better than this,” Ms Parker said.