Campaign aims to save Victorian ambulance services

By Ray Fulcher

MELBOURNE -- Seventy people attended a public forum here on May 29 to discuss Victoria's ambulance service and work out ways of campaigning for improvements. The forum, organised by More Ambulance Services in Victoria (MASIV), was held following the deaths in recent weeks of six people due, in part, to ambulance waiting times and personnel levels.

Ambulance Employees Association official Robert Morris outlined the cuts to services and jobs implemented by the Kennett government and described the additional workload and stress on officers remaining in the service.

Relatives of some of those who had died waiting for ambulances spoke of their pain and anger at the government's indifference. A representative of the Asthma Foundation said that ambulance delays could mean death for asthma sufferers.

John Thwaites, Labor spokesperson on health, posed a 10-point plan including immediate provision of 10 extra ambulances, at least two officers at ambulance stations, an end to redundancy programs for ambulance officers, an extra dispatch officer and compliance with the recommendations of the '92-'93 coronial inquiry into the service.

At the time of that inquiry there were 104 ambulances on the road, and a further 35 were recommended along with an extra 100 officers. There are currently 56 ambulances serving. A speaker from the floor pointed out that the ambulance service had also suffered under the previous Labor government.

MASIV can be contacted via Jean Fenn on (03) 429 5915, or write to 86 Bendigo St, Richmond 3121.

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