Page 3610 - Week 11 - Thursday, 16 November 2006
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ambulances have had significant brake problems for quite some time. I am advised that, in December 2005, the problem with the GMC fleet—that is, brake problems—came to a head. It is interesting, too, to note that the rank and file were quite browned off that the TWU, when they had the opportunity to take ACTAS management to task over this particular issue—the GMC brake failure issue—did not do so.
Mr Gentleman: It is because the brakes did not fail, Steve. They did not fail.
MR PRATT: Sorry, Mick. The TWU seems to have let the side down on that occasion. They have let them down. The rank and file are saying that they are not particularly impressed with management because they feel they have to be pushed to the last minute to get things sorted out. On the other hand, the TWU, who seemed to be in bed with management, are not fighting the good fight for the rank and file. That is a bit of a worry, isn’t it, Mick? You had better have a talk to them.
On the overtime issue, I am advised that too often daytime ambulance crews are held back on overtime to plug gaps for the evening shift. To reach the seven crews around the clock, a lot of overtime needs to be expended. I am also advised by the members that, when they have a day off—and they tend to work 10 on, 10 off—it is not unusual to get two calls per day of every day they are off to ask them whether they are willing or able to come in on overtime. That is quite disappointing.
Let me illustrate the failure of the ambulance service because of the issue of overtime. On the evening of Saturday, 4 November, day crews were required to be held back into the Saturday evening to make up the seven crews. Then, beyond midnight, that number dwindled away to the point that the ambulance service could only provide five fully crewed vehicles in the hours beyond midnight. I would have thought that Saturday after midnight was a peak period. Wouldn’t you, Mr Stefaniak? Would you consider after midnight on a Saturday as a peak block period, not a period in which you could allow the fleet to stand down? But that was the case on the night of 4 November. I am advised that, even when one crew is down, this has a severe impact on the other six crews who have to man the block for that period of time. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, or madam acting temporary—
MADAM TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mrs Dunne): No; temporary deputy. You got it right the first time.
Mr Hargreaves: It is the first day out of three. You blew it on Monday; you blew it on Tuesday, but you got it right today.
MR PRATT: I know it is a bit rough here in the house, isn’t it, Mr Hargreaves? Even when one crew is down, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, this has a severe impact on the other six crews who have to man the block for that period of time. What we see here is an ambulance service which is overstretched. The question has to be asked: are they able to provide the efficient and reliable service that they have been famous for in the past? Crews are indeed rejecting overtime when they are called. I think we see here dissatisfaction on the part of the members. We have talked in this place before about the serviceability of the rural fire service vehicles. In fact, it was the basis, Mr Hargreaves, of a censure motion that was launched against the minister, as you will recall.
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