Here’re some reminders of the action we’re taking.
Chalk writing
We have started chalk writing on vehicles. Here are the current approved slogans and you can use more than one at a time:
Chalk pens have been distributed and you can BYO chalk pens. They are easily purchased at Officeworks or Spotlight. Remember, liquid chalk pens only – do not use paint pens. You can send photos of your chalked vehicle to photos@hacsu.org.au.
Inter-hospital transfers now banned between midnight and 6am (excluding critical transfers)
Where there is no clinical need for a transfer (such as attending an appointment the next day or the pax needs to get a non-critical scan), you should decline to dispatch or take a dispatch unless it’s for a critical reason.
If you want to confirm if the case you are dispatching is for a higher level of care, you can do this via radio by asking if a clinician has reviewed the case.
ComCen dispatchers, team leaders and duty supervisors can refuse to dispatch these jobs unless it’s clear that an “urgency decision” has been documented in ESCAD.
Low priority case refusal: from 1-4pm on Wednesday 9 November
As you know, multiple unions and thousands of public sector employees will walk off the job on Wednesday 9 November from 1-4pm.
Your Sub-branch Executive have confirmed that HACSU paramedics and ambulance employees will participate in this activity.
As part of this action, Ambulance Tasmania HACSU members will not accept a dispatch to any P3–P4 or lower priority job from 1-4pm that day, and our ComCen members will not dispatch P3–P4 or lower acuity jobs in this period.
We encourage all members who aren’t on P0-P2 jobs to attend the rallies across the state. The four primary rallies will be in Burnie, Devonport, Launceston and Hobart. You can also join rallies in other regional centres.
You can take your vehicles to these rallies and be available for dispatch to higher-priority work. HACSU and Ambulance Tasmania are collaborating about which individual trucks need to remain on station for P0–P2 responses or within their normal call-out area.
ComCen dispatchers, team leaders and duty supervisors will be participating in these actions by not dispatching low-priority jobs to paramedics during this time.
If you’re on days off, please come to the rallies to support your colleagues. Wear pink shirts and gather in collective groups if possible.
Non-operational staff are also encouraged to attend the rallies, but your employer can deduct your pay if you walk off the job. We understand leave requests are being facilitated to provide release for non-operational staff. To be clear, your employer cannot prevent you from attending if you are a union member and performing a non-clinical role.
If you have any other questions or need more information, get in touch with us via HACSUassist on 1300 880 032 or contact your local delegate.
