A new time limit implemented at midnight that aims to cap ambulance ramping times marks the “first step” in a broader effort to permanently end the practice once and for all.
That’s according to the Health & Community Services Union (HACSU), who say the initiative will set a time limit on how long paramedics can be ramped at a hospital with a patient.
The majority of patients arriving by ambulance will wait less than the 60-minute limit, HACSU say, meaning the policy could significantly improve response times by getting ambulances back on the streets quicker.
HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore said he was relived to see the policy finally in place.
He said relief from ramping was “not just welcomed, but absolutely crucial” for Tasmania’s struggling ambulance service, which currently has the worst response times in the country.
“This is starter … It will enable the nation’s busiest ambulance workers to just be able to do their jobs without being stuck in the emergency department or grappling with the challenge of dispatching unavailable ambulances amidst distressing calls for help,” he said.
“We know that health services continue to be stretched and the government has more work to do, but having ambulances ramped at hospitals for hours is ridiculous and unsafe.”
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), however, have expressed concerns that the new protocol might not be effective without additional resources or support for hospitals.
“[Patient’s] will also still be waiting lengthy periods in our emergency departments and for inpatient admissions,” Tasmania secretary Emily Shepherd said.
The state government has assured ongoing consultation will be undertaken to ensure the process works effectively and plans to further reduce the wait time to 30 minutes over the next 18 months.
