Approximately 10% of paramedic shifts in Tasmania are going unfilled, according to new figures released by Health Minister Guy Barnett.
Between November 2022 and March 2023, 2,181 shifts out of a total of 19,710 went unfilled, according to numbers released in response to a question on notice in the Legislative Council by Sarah Lovell MLC.
The highest number of unfilled shifts were in Hobart (256), Latrobe (220), Bridgewater (171), Glenorchy (133), Launceston (129), Wattle Hill (125) and Mornington (123).
Labor health spokeswoman Anita Dow said the paramedic shortfall is being worsened by hospital bed block, with the latest health system dashboard figures showing only 50% of emergency department presentations are seen within four hours.
At Launceston General Hospital, the dashboard figures show only 37% of presentations are seen within four hours.
About one in five Ambulance Tasmania paramedics are employed on fixed-term contracts, with the lack of job security forcing paramedics to move interstate for better pay and conditions.
The Department of Health said that when paramedic shifts cannot be filled, operational plans are enacted to ensure the needs of Tasmanians are met.
Health Minister Guy Barnett said since the Liberal government came to power in 2014, an additional 220 paramedics and dispatch officers have been employed across the state.
