A lack of staff has forced Rural Ambulance Victoria (RAV) employees to work excessively long hours and abandon on-road duties to man an operations centre, which is putting the health of both patients and employees at risk, said Helen Shardey, Shadow Minister for Health.

Leaked Systems Improvement Process Notices show a system in crisis, with RAV management informed only 50 per cent of normal operating vehicles were available last Saturday night, placing undue stress on staff.

“Despite assurances from RAV’s CEO Jon Holloway that the Board and Senior Executive Team are fully committed to a healthy, safe and supportive workplace CEO Bulletin, Issue 5, 11 October 2007, staff feel their health is being compromised and concerns are being ignored,” said Helen Shardey.

“Last weekend Ballarat paramedics claimed staff shortages forced the ambulance service to turn away patients on Saturday night.

“We have been told of one staff member who has worked eight 14 hour shifts in a row and we believe this has happened on more than one occasion.

“Victorians living in the country deserve an ambulance service which is not plagued by internal issues.

“The Brumby Government has consistently failed to oversee this vital service.

“Currently there are 50 vacancies in RAV, the majority of these are for on-road ambulance paramedics.

“The embattled health minister has demonstrated a blatant lack of concern for the safety of RAV employees,” said Mrs Shardey.

Steve McGhie, Secretary of the Ambulance Employees Union, has said that Ballarat is so under-resourced that regional areas are being left unattended because paramedics are being taken off the road to man the Operations Centre.

“When will the health minister take responsibility for a substandard ambulance service which is failing to meet the needs of country Victorians?” said Mrs Shardey.