BELMONT, Australia — A report looking into a recent wave of suicides among paramedics in Western Australia claims they were not caused by exposure to traumatic situations.
ABC.net reported psychiatrist Nathan Gibson examined the suicides of five paramedics between December 2013 and March 2015.
“The investigation found there was little evidence that exposure to ‘critical incidents’ in their role as first responders was a key factor in the deaths of the volunteers and paramedics, but there was a complex mix of factors which contributed to these tragedies,” said Health Minister Kim Hames.
A previous review unearthed allegations of bullying at St. John’s Ambulance, where all five of the paramedics who died by suicide worked. St. John’s denied any cultural problems within its organization.
The report offered seven recommendations to St. John Ambulance so the company can better support its staff and volunteers. Recommendations included reviewing the role of community paramedics, improving conflict resolution and reviewing the recruitment process for volunteers.
“The report highlights the need for the St. John Ambulance organization and indeed all organizations, to ensure adequate provisions are in place for staff wellbeing, support and engagement,” said Hames.
St. John’s chief executive, Tony Ahern, said the report’s recommendations will be welcomed but denied that any wrongdoing by the company
“This was a really important review just in terms of trying to clarify the situation, that there wasn’t one common thread or one link that could have just an easy answer,” Ahern said. “In every instance where we knew someone was struggling, we had made attempts to get them to assistance.”
James Vaughan, the brother of paramedic Marcia Vaughan, whose death was investigated in the report, does not think St. John’s is being held accountable for its actions. Vaughan claims his sister was not supported by her manager and blames her suicide on PTSD and workplace bullying.
“I am slightly dismayed with it to tell you the truth, I think they have sidelined a lot of issues, or haven’t gone into depth of a lot of issues that they could have,” Vaughan said. “I just wanted something better than this. My sister’s life is more than 31 pages.”