The Health Minister has backed Ambulance Tasmania’s decision to ban paramedics from wearing Santa hats and decorating ambulances this Christmas.
Minister Guy Barnett said the risk of reindeer antlers falling off ambulances while they travel to emergencies at high speed was too great and “clearly not something that we want”.
“We want to care for and support Tasmanians in a safe environment. So I back in the decision,” he said on Friday.
“If you’ve got Christmas decorations flying off ambulances all over the place at speed, reindeer ears falling into and impacting adversely or injuring other Tasmanians, that’s just not on.”
“Everybody wants Tasmanians to enjoy the Christmas spirit but we want to do it in a way that is safe.”
The decision was made after careful consideration by bureaucrats and was quickly criticised by the ambulance staff union and Labor.
Ambulance Tasmania CEO Jordan Emery told staff in an email not to decorate their ambulances as the fleet needs to remain ‘professional and safe’ over the Christmas period.
He believes Christmas decorations may make paramedics appear less serious about their jobs.
