It’s the season for festivities, but if you’re a Tasmanian paramedic, the festive spirit is getting a damper thanks to AT's recent directives. How absurd and unfair that sounds?

We’re aware that you’ve got an email from the Chief Executive prohibiting the decoration of ambulance vehicles and the wearing of Christmas decorations for those directly involved in patient care.

This fun police directive is completely over the top. We know decking out ambulances is your thing during Christmas, and you always put patient care and safety first.

It seems like nothing but AT management trying to deny your ability to lift morale and spirits during the festive season. Shouldn't they have more pressing things to worry about than decorations on a few ambulances?

Christmas decorations are everywhere, including in public hospitals and the rest of the department of health. In other states, paramedics are also allowed to decorate ambulances and are even encouraged to celebrate the decorating efforts on social media.

We’ll be writing to AT and asking them to be more sensible and to take back this mean-spirited decision. If they don’t budge, we’ll be out to talk to you about what we can do next, and we won’t rule out some industrial action if necessary.

Ultimately, everyone should be able to participate in Christmas.