Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Ex Hamilton Island local claims bullying at QAS


Update 7.15am Thur 27 Aug 2009
Daily Mercury - Sarah Crawford : Full Story
Image : News Ltd


QAS fine could have been better handled

QUEENSLAND Ambulance Service central region Assistant Commissioner Christopher Broomfield said an incident where trainee paramedic, Chris Roche, faced a fine for running a red light while taking a woman giving birth to hospital could have been handled better.

Chris said he was directed by an intensive care paramedic to go “Code 1” to the hospital because the “birth was imminent”. During the transfer, he ran a red light at the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Sam's Road. When he asked his manager to sort out the fine for him he was told he would have to deal with it.

Mr Broomfield said that initial response by management, “could have been done better”.

Daily Mercury - Sarah Crawford : Full Story



Updated 1.30pm Wed 26 Aug 2009
Sourced from ABC News - unknown author : Full Story

Ambulance service rejects bullying claims

Queensland's ambulance commissioner says bullying and harassment are not rife within the service.

The State Government has set up a panel to investigate complaints, amid concerns emergency service workers operate in a 'culture of fear' within the workplace.

Premier Anna Bligh told the says there is no place for bullying. She said to ABC News: "I would certainly encourage anybody who believes they've been bullied or harassed in the work place to make a formal complaint," .

Full Story


Original Story

Well respected ex Hammo resident, Security Officer and Manager of the elite 'Hammo ERT' (Hamilton Island's Emergency Response Team), Chris Roche, who left to join the Queensland Ambulance Service, has resigned from the QAS.

Chris was one of the most respected, caring, diplomatic and talented people on Hamilton Island for many, many years, but he has always dreamed (since a kid) of being a real paramedic with the Ambos, so when the opportunity to join the QAS arose a couple of years ago, Chris took up the opportunity, and many people on Hamilton Island (and past residents, guests and patients) were sorry to see Chris go.

Unfortunately, Chris (and four others in the QAS) have now had to leave the QAS due to alleged bullying. Chris' bullying commenced after he received a fine for going through a red light, while on an emergency dash to hospital, and he went over his boss' head to get the fine withdrawn.

Full story at the Daily Mercury - Sarah Crawford


Disclaimer : The editor, when living on Hamilton Island, ran into Chris, his wife Marilyn, and a very special baby, many, many times over 4 years, including sharing many flights; a medical evac; as a patient; and even as the recipient of a search at Sunset Waters in 2003. Chris is a honest, fair and caring gentleman, and his resignation from the QAS will be a big loss to them. However, maybe QAS' loss could be a Whitsundays Island's gain?

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