A document shared with The Examiner shows overtime hours done by North-West ambos have ballooned by more than 60 per cent.
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The region's 107 full time equivalent paramedics did 62.6 per cent more overtime in the year to June 30 2020 than the previous year.
The rising numbers have the union very concerned.
"It's extremely alarming that paramedics' overtime is up on last year," HACSU assistant state secretary Robbie Moore said.
"They're not getting the days off they need to rest and recuperate.
In other news:
"It's putting their safety at risk, and their colleagues. This further shows how important it is that we get more paramedics into the THS."
"We have seen increases in workers compensation and sick leave, and I have no doubt it is the result of this.
"The public is more at risk because the response times to emergencies are longer."
He said it had been bad at other times, but the government knew about the problem
"The government has had years to look at this issue, train and recruit paramedics from interstate and they haven't, and the problem is getting worse and worse."
An Ambulance Tasmania spokesperson said they could assure the North-West community they would receive an emergency ambulance promptly whenever they needed one.
"Currently, we employ 119 full time equivalent paramedics in the North-West.
"The number of staff on leave at any point varies, and we are working to further bolster AT resources and staff in the NW, with more staff appointments to occur over the coming weeks.
"This will provide enhanced cover for staff leave and reduce for overtime. In recent years staff turnover has ranged from four to seven per cent; this year it is less than six per cent."
The document showed North West region paramedic overtime hours at 21,945 up from 13,493 in the year to June 2019.
It recorded that the state government spent $1.85 million on North West ambo overtime, up from $1.14 million in the June 2019 year.
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Leah McBey
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
