By Jacqui Peake
ABC Premium News
ARARAT, Australia — A heart patient was taken to hospital in the back of a police divisional van in Ararat, in western Victoria last month, because local paramedics were on a rest break and had not been replaced.
Paramedics from Stawell, 30 kilometres away were called to take the man to hospital.
But they were worried they would not make it on time, so they asked police at Ararat to take the man to hospital.
Steve McGhie of Ambulance Employees Australia blames a staff shortage.
“This is just another example of not replacing resources in Ararat when the paramedics have worked such long hours,” he said.
“It’s quite a busy workplace and has a very high case load.”
Ambulance Victoria spokesman Greg Leach, says there was a gap in the roster.
“Our control room was in the process of recalling staff to fill Ararat, but the Ararat car wasn’t available at the time,” he said.
He says the service is assessing whether there are enough staff in Ararat.
“It’s about ensuring that we continue to match the right amount of resources to the needs of the community,” he said.
Mr Leach says it is not normal procedure to use police resources.
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