Tasmanian Ambulance Response Times Worst In The Country

Tasmanian paramedics have taken action after recent numbers showed Tasmania’s Ambulance response time is the worst in the country.

Paramedics yesterday clocked off work on time and met at the Mersey Community Hospital to strike over the state government’s lack of action toward ambulance response times and ramping.

Tuesday evening saw a whopping 10 vacant shifts with one third left uncovered due to already stretched overtime from paramedics.

Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The TAS Briefing - keeping you in the loop with the region’s breaking news as it hits.

Health and Community Services Union Assistant Lucas Digney told the Tasmanian times that the issues are continuing to get worse and are due to a lack of funding in staffing and hospital infrastructure.

“Ambulance response times have blown out to 15 minutes,” he said.

“They were already the worst in the country but now they’re almost at double the recommended time for urgent calls.”

While the state government claimed they have attempted to fill the staffing gaps, the roles are not being filled on a permanent basis requiring staff to commit to more overtime.

More action is likely to follow until the government makes moves toward a permanent solution to understaffing, ramping and ambulance wait times.

Stay up-to-date on the latest news with Your Morning Agenda - supported by a network of local journalists from all major Australian cities, ensuing timely and first hand insights on local stories: 

Download LiSTNR and enjoy a new world of audio. All your favourite shows and stations in one library.