Staff told to put names to complaints

Saturday, August 16, 2008

THE Queensland Ambulance Service will only investigate allegations by paramedics that they are being overworked and bullied by superiors if staff are willing to come forward.

The bosses say they will also only investigate alleged unsafe work practices where students were put into positions alone without trained paramedics to back them up if officers will put their names to the complaints.

The response comes after revelations that a student paramedic was left in charge of the Cardwell region for several hours earlier this week.

The Weekend Post has since been inundated with calls from paramedics, students and people in senior QAS roles, voicing concerns over practices they believe are "putting lives at risk".

But all fear being named, saying they will be sacked or moved on.

"If we are given instances where people felt intimidated or they believe they are going to be sacked I would like to know about them," QAS deputy commissioner Russell Bowles said.

"Apart from gross misconduct I have never seen anyone sacked.’’

But one highly placed person in the service said there were often directives from the State Government banning staff from speaking out.

QAS assistant commissioner Peter Cahill said he would investigate any incident raised through formal channels

<strong>Speak up:</strong> The Queensland Ambulance Service will only investigate allegations by paramedics that they are being overworked and bullied by superiors if staff are willing to come forward.

Speak up: The Queensland Ambulance Service will only investigate allegations by paramedics that they are being overworked and bullied by superiors if staff are willing to come forward.

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