SA Firefighter

Be weary.  It is hard to see the full picture from the confines of a chair in the ED.  

Is it also hard to see full picture from the confines of a chair being the front seat of your Ambulance as a single operator monitoring your patient via a camera?     - NOTE - Remainder of my comment RETRACTED.

Thanks Crash ... I actually had to revisit my comment after I had completed a little wiki-investigation around the country and to my surprise found that single operator ambulances are widespread - Victoria and New South Wales Ambulance Service (country only).  This before Medboy gets all wiki-legal.

How can this be?  Note the NSW Ambo Union are lobbying to cease this practice.   

I then had a little read of the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Regulations and Clinical Practice Guidelines (Dept of Human Services Victoria) and then fell of my perch.. In Victoria they (being the SA Health equivalent) are happy for a Cert III Patient Transport Officer to act as a single operator in an 'Ambulance'.... even with TWO stretchers/patients in the back of the Ambulance? WHATTHA

Joules.  Thanks for answering my question which crash'n'matt  could not bring himself to do.

Crash., fcm is not a licensed provider of non-emergency ambulance and certainly is not licensed by Health as a provider of emergency ambulance services. I dont need to tell you that.

You might want to read the HC Act closely again and pay closer attention to the definitions. Also read the holding out. Qualified you are no doubt. Licensed by Health not. Infield, outfield and all places in between. Operating services using Ambulances (clearly defined what one is under the Act) is now regulated guys.  Simply put - Old Act loose and filled with loopholes and interpretation.. New Act tight.

Clearly though I am no expert on this topic. Good luck. Im clucking off. 

Alright CnD. fair comments.  Enlighten me.

Who is the provider licensed by SA Health to provide "Emergency Ambulance" services as defined, and pursuant to the Health Care Act 2008.

I reference the Health Care Act 2008 in particular as the Old Act transitional licenses will expire (shortly I suspect). NEPT (PTS/ATS) approvals only is my mail.

Emergency Ambulance approval only out in the areas/regions where resources are light (or don't exist) or on company boundaries/lands with approval to Cat transport to nearest local hospitals from company site (read/search the SA Government Gazette for a list).  Examples"Frontier, Compasss, Heathgate Mine, BHP/OneSteel, APY Lands etc etc etc.

And last I checked SAAS don't approve providers (they wouldn't want the legal liability!)

I am not being prescious (or maybe I am by virtue of making that very statement) but I am certainly curious who is this "Emergency Ambulance Service" that I have yet to see. Or have they been right in front of my eyes the whole time and I just didn't appreciate that they were an "Emergency Ambulance".

Anyway. I might just have a chip. We'll review it in 6 months and see who has to buy who a Pepsi

PS. No job knock backs lately ... a few rebuffs from Mrs R Chicken though.. does that count as a 'job knock back' .

Where to start!
Joules - I agree with the issue raised as it harks back to my original statement "as long as people do not try to play Emergency all should be good".  I would bet my left one that it is the very provider in this topic that will be doing the SAJC contract as they do a range of events in NSW.  NSWAS raised the same issues regarding clinical practice/scope and capability. SAJC would be concerned solely with $$$ and the decreased risk of having to stop the races (and avoid TAB fines) by having an on-track Ambulance whilst SAAS scoups up the jockey/punter/other at the gate.  The standby rate is also probably cheaper (given the cost of SAAS Paramedics these days on overtime  )

I thought these guys were meant to be Non-Emergency.  They have just been licensed and it is like going straight for third base on a first date.   Maybe PSSA should try taking SAAS out to dinner and a movie first before rushing straight in. (or maybe they already have).

Regrettably, we shall await the first coroners report .

CnD.  Not sure if you know these guys or have seen inside their rigs (visit 4 Manton Street - WorkCare's old premises ) but I would suggest SAAS equipment is probably a little more upspec and capable (and current).  Unless they are engaging experienced SAAS personnel (or have an Emergency Doctor on board) I would really have to question entering such a high risk pursuit.  The family of maimed/deceased jockeys tend to make really big Professional Indemnity Claims and PI insurers love passing the buck back to the provider where there is clinical neg or other failures

This little chickens sphncta does puckereth shut just thinking about all the scenarios

Joules is certainly excited about Paremedical Services. "Watch Out" everyone indeed.

A few contacts in NSWAS not so excited when mentioning same. See austlii  (Federal Court) - Paramedical Services vs New South Wales Ambulance Service.

Case dismissed. 10 years and still no change in relationship.

Note to Hugh: Read transcript - just in case. We know how easy you find it to make friends.

Q1. Do you reckon CL got a case of dejavu and a panic attack when he saw Paramedical's GREEN uniforms?
 
Q2. Everyone is still mentioning WorkCare ? Is that guy still around as I thought he went out of business. If anyone still sees him running around code ring SAPOL advising of date/time/location/direction and plate number.  'Filtered' Menace