1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,640 Speaker 1: Over the weekend, we know the Northern Territories ambulance system 2 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 1: was pushed to breaking point, Saint John, escalating to both 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: operational capacity red and then white, meaning it was unable 4 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:16,520 Speaker 1: to respond to calls for help. The services and ambulances 5 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:20,280 Speaker 1: in Darwen and Palmerston were at full capacity for hours, 6 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: with dozens of triple zero calls unanswered. There was life 7 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: threatening cases waiting for hours and crews working under extreme pressure. 8 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:34,720 Speaker 1: Now it comes amid ongoing concerns that demand is outpacing 9 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: funding and resources and the system comes under increasing scrutiny. 10 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 1: Now joining us in the studio is the CEO of 11 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:46,319 Speaker 1: Saint John NT Abigail Truan. Good morning to. 12 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 2: You, Good morning listeners. 13 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your time this morning. Now, look, 14 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:56,160 Speaker 1: it must have been a terrible situation over the weekend 15 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: for you, for everybody that works at Saint John. I mean, 16 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 1: it's very nature to want to be able to help everybody. 17 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,120 Speaker 1: That's why a lot of people sign up to work 18 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 1: for Saint John. 19 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:09,399 Speaker 2: Absolutely, Katie, look, before anything else, I reckon it's pretty 20 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,679 Speaker 2: important I recognize our hard working paramedics out there across 21 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 2: the territory. They do extraordinary things in very difficult environments 22 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:20,320 Speaker 2: on a good day. So the weekend was very tough 23 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,560 Speaker 2: for everybody, call centers through to those responding. 24 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, I can't even begin to imagine how they must 25 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 1: have felt. Like I sort of thought about it this 26 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 1: morning and thought, if you were in the call center 27 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: taking a call and knowing that you don't have crews 28 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: to be able to go out and help somebody, then 29 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 1: being a paramedic on the road already I'm assuming with 30 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:43,399 Speaker 1: somebody in the back of your ambulance and you know, 31 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 1: having to wait. Then when you get to the hospital 32 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: to try and offload that patient, and knowing that there 33 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 1: is a queue of people needing your help, it would 34 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 1: have been terrible and heartbreaking for them. 35 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 2: Absolutely. We had one case in the city, for example, 36 00:01:58,160 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 2: our call take a state on the line for well 37 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:03,680 Speaker 2: over thirty five minutes as that patient deteriorated and reached 38 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:06,919 Speaker 2: a not breathing status. So when you know that people 39 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 2: are becoming sicker while they wait, that is very hard 40 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 2: for that call operator knowing they can't get an ambulance 41 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 2: to them. And then of course the crew arrives and 42 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:18,079 Speaker 2: they've now got even harder, more complex, more difficult scene 43 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 2: that could have been averted with a reasonable response time. 44 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 1: Abigail, can you explain to us how the service reached 45 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 1: the point of escalating to operational capacity? White? 46 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, White, Look, I asked our operations managers. You know, 47 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 2: have you seen this before? Unfortunately, it's become normal for 48 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 2: us to be at a operation red now that means 49 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:41,400 Speaker 2: we are at one hundred percent and we're already at 50 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 2: risk and then you have a massive surge as we 51 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 2: saw on Friday or Saturday morning it was, and then 52 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 2: with just nothing more, the elastic ban is stretched as 53 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:51,320 Speaker 2: far as it possibly can go, and that's now potentially 54 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:55,359 Speaker 2: going to break. We got here, not in the last 55 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 2: few months. This is a long time coming. This is 56 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:02,000 Speaker 2: years of neglect. This is years of not meeting the 57 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 2: demand and not rising or putting the funds where it 58 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 2: needs to go. 59 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 1: Now, talk to me about, you know, in terms of 60 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,920 Speaker 1: sort of staging or getting to that point of operation capacity. White, 61 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 1: I can't remember that ever happening in the Northern Territory before. 62 00:03:18,639 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 2: No, as look, as far as I know, it hasn't 63 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 2: happened in recent times. But I just want to make 64 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 2: sure your listeners understand when a service is at red, 65 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 2: every day, at some point during the day it starts 66 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 2: to become normal, which it clearly is not. And so 67 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 2: reaching white, Yes, extraordinary amount, but it just shows you 68 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 2: we can't do more with what we have. 69 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: Can you kind of put that in a real like, 70 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 1: you know, explain it to us in real person terms 71 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 1: when you look at what you're going through every single day, Like, 72 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 1: are you in a situation at the moment where every 73 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: single day, our you know, our ambulance crews are totally 74 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 1: under the pump. There are already people waiting for extended periods, 75 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 1: even if they they are suffering from a life threatening situation. 76 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 2: So at the moment, Territorian's Fund an ambulance service that 77 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 2: buys an average response time of eighteen minutes on a 78 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 2: good day. Okay, Now, nationally we know we should be 79 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:17,160 Speaker 2: at those Priority one cases between eight and fifteen minutes maximum. 80 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:19,839 Speaker 2: We are well outside that. So then when you have 81 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:23,160 Speaker 2: a massive surge as we had, it's going to take 82 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:25,359 Speaker 2: a long time to get an ambulance even if you 83 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 2: are critically unwell, because five ambulances on the road, how 84 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 2: do I get them to meet twenty eight different jobs 85 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: that are urgent or critical? And then there's all the 86 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 2: other jobs, which of course may be less critical, that 87 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 2: will wait fifteen sixteen hours for a response simply because 88 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:44,599 Speaker 2: we don't have the capacity to stretch any further. 89 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 1: Are you worried that there could be a situation or 90 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:51,480 Speaker 1: that there already has been a situation where somebody may 91 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 1: have had a heart attack and you're not able to 92 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 1: get a crew out there to them. 93 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 2: Of course. Yeah, that's the reality of what we're facing. 94 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 2: We know there were critical incidents that happened over the 95 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:04,360 Speaker 2: weekend that should have had services there very fast. What 96 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 2: you don't see is what the impact of that delay is. 97 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 2: It means that they become sicker, It means they stay 98 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 2: in hospital longer. It means that we don't get that 99 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 2: essential medicine to them when they need it, or the 100 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 2: essential things like breeding for them. All of those things 101 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 2: is what it impacts when we can't get there on time. 102 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 1: Could it also mean that they die? 103 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:28,600 Speaker 2: Of course, Yeah, that's a real reality, absolute reality that is. 104 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:31,919 Speaker 1: I mean, it's terrible. It is such a shocking situation 105 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:35,719 Speaker 1: for everybody involved. I mean, you spoke about funding, You've 106 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 1: said that that demand is outpacing funding, and it's not 107 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:41,839 Speaker 1: something that's just happened in recent months. This is something 108 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: that's been neglected for quite some time. What specifically do 109 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,679 Speaker 1: we need to bring the system back into safe operating levels? 110 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:53,840 Speaker 2: So I genuinely believe that the government does want to 111 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:55,720 Speaker 2: do the right thing here. I think they understand that 112 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 2: there is a problem and we've got to do something 113 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 2: and we now need the action and certainty to bring 114 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 2: that system back to a status outside of red some 115 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:06,840 Speaker 2: sort of normalacy. So we're thirty percent growth in the 116 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:09,839 Speaker 2: last five years. I think that answers your question. You've 117 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:11,919 Speaker 2: got to grow the service by thirty percent if you 118 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 2: expect to meet today's demand. That's not tomorrow's demand, that's 119 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 2: today's demand. So that becomes difficult for government because it 120 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:24,599 Speaker 2: is an ask. But what sort of service to Territorians want? 121 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 2: Are they happy with eighteen minutes on a good day? 122 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 1: Well, and Territorians actually expect that if they are in 123 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 1: a life threatening situation, that they're able to call our 124 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:34,839 Speaker 1: ambulance service and that you guys have got enough crews, 125 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,479 Speaker 1: you've got enough stuff, you've got what is required to 126 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:39,039 Speaker 1: be able to get out there and help them. And 127 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:41,600 Speaker 1: I think that everybody would agree that you know that 128 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:46,960 Speaker 1: that is the expectation. What's causing this, you know, the 129 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,479 Speaker 1: situation that we're in over the weekend. Obviously I've said 130 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,160 Speaker 1: it's you know, years of neglected is obviously that funding 131 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:53,520 Speaker 1: situation too, But is there. 132 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,600 Speaker 2: Something that's spiked. Look, Katie, we had a look at this. 133 00:06:56,680 --> 00:06:59,040 Speaker 2: There was speculation it was because of the floods and 134 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 2: extra people in That's not the case. These jobs came 135 00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 2: from across the Darwin and Palmerston area from a range 136 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 2: of residential addresses. It came from down the track as 137 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 2: well with people coming back from their fishing trips. There 138 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 2: were a range of factors happening. But this is a reality. 139 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 2: One hundred and forty four calls after midnight. We need 140 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:20,400 Speaker 2: to meet that demand. Of those fourteen were critical cases 141 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 2: that we could not get to. There were a further 142 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 2: I think fifteen cases that were urgent we could not 143 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 2: get to. They waited hours. I can tell you one 144 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 2: of those people had a dislocated hip and they waited 145 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 2: a very long time for assistance. This is not okay. 146 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 2: It hurts Territorians. So we need to do better. 147 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: Tell me, I mean, if we were in a situation 148 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 1: where there was something like a tourist bus rollover with 149 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: only five ambulances then around Darwin and Palmerston. Would they 150 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: be able to manage a critical situation like that. 151 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 2: We would do everything we need to do to meet 152 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,560 Speaker 2: that demand, just like we did over the weekend. But 153 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:58,040 Speaker 2: it means that there will be delays likely for other 154 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 2: Territorians because we will be pushing those resources to where 155 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 2: it's needed most. 156 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 1: Abigail, I want to ask you a little bit more 157 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:07,360 Speaker 1: about the funding, and I don't know how much detail 158 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 1: you can go into with this, but it's it's pretty 159 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 1: clear that we need more money. 160 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 2: If Territorians want a better ambulance service, it's going to 161 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:17,600 Speaker 2: cost more money. 162 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:21,440 Speaker 1: Now in terms of you know, like where we're at 163 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:25,679 Speaker 1: with the contract. We've spoken to the Deputy Chief Minister 164 00:08:25,760 --> 00:08:29,040 Speaker 1: earlier this morning. He said that the Health Minister was 165 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:31,440 Speaker 1: going to be meeting with you guys today. Is that 166 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 1: the case. 167 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 2: I haven't heard that yet, but I'll certainly check when 168 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:35,000 Speaker 2: I leave here. 169 00:08:35,559 --> 00:08:37,560 Speaker 1: So as far as you know, you don't have a 170 00:08:37,559 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 1: meeting lined up with the Health Minister. 171 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 2: Not with the Health Minister. But I can tell you 172 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 2: that the Deputy Chief certainly called me this morning and 173 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 2: let me know that they are supportive and they're trying 174 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 2: to work through these challenges with us. 175 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:51,200 Speaker 1: I'm actually surprised the Health Minister hasn't called you. 176 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 2: I'm sure he may have tried. I've had many calls. 177 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:56,840 Speaker 2: Very busy, i had many calls this morning. 178 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 1: Well, I mean, and look, it does sound as though 179 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:01,439 Speaker 1: the government wants to come to the table and wants 180 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 1: to sort this out. 181 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 2: Of course, when you look at our. 182 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 1: Level of funding though here in the Northern Territory, you know, 183 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 1: you said that we've had thirty percent growth rate, so 184 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 1: one would suspect that we're probably going to need a 185 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 1: thirty percent increase when it comes to funding. How do 186 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,119 Speaker 1: we compare to other states in Australia. 187 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 2: So talk about two things to help you listeners understand. 188 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 2: So most states will work on around fifty five percent 189 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 2: usage rate, meaning paramedics are with a patient fifty five 190 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:31,080 Speaker 2: percent of the time and then the rest of the 191 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 2: time is travel and other things that we need to do. 192 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 2: At the moment, the territory works over eighty percent of 193 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 2: the time with a patient, so we just don't have 194 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 2: that bandwidth. If you look at states like Tasmania and others, 195 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 2: they're sitting at around one hundred and twenty million to 196 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:46,319 Speaker 2: fund a service which may be a little bit bigger 197 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:49,320 Speaker 2: than us, but certainly we've got the distance that we 198 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:52,160 Speaker 2: also need to manage. And we've also got the complexity 199 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:54,960 Speaker 2: in our patients in terms of their vulnerability and their 200 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 2: health status. So apples for apples. 201 00:09:57,559 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 1: Yeah perhaps, yeah, Look, we've some has got to change here. 202 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 1: There does need to be an increase. I think when 203 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:06,080 Speaker 1: we talk about that funding, and you know, I know 204 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 1: for me as an everyday territorian, I'd be more than 205 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:11,600 Speaker 1: happy for some of that boost that we got our 206 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 1: GSD funding to go towards our ambulance service because not 207 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 1: only for those critical patients, but something that we've certainly 208 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 1: spoke about on the show before as well is, you know, 209 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 1: even when you've got people at sport getting injured, having 210 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,560 Speaker 1: to wait for hours to you know, to have somebody 211 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 1: come out to see them, depending on how busy the 212 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 1: ambulance screws are, or to come out there and help 213 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 1: them if they've got a broken leg, a broken arm. 214 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:36,320 Speaker 1: That's right, Katie, you know, they're just these are things 215 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:38,559 Speaker 1: that we're looking at every single day. I would imagine 216 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:40,479 Speaker 1: that your your teams are juggling. 217 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 2: Absolutely, and that can take some time, and it's not 218 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:45,000 Speaker 2: okay to lie there with a broken leg. We had 219 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 2: an incident in Allis recently with a sixteen year old 220 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 2: that after three hours, their friends with a very badly 221 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 2: broken leg transported them to hospital on the back of 222 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 2: a ute because we could not respond. So these are 223 00:10:56,559 --> 00:10:59,199 Speaker 2: the real life cases that are happening, and that's so distressing. 224 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 2: It's distressing for our cruise, it's distressing for us, it's 225 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 2: distressing for territory, and so we do need to fix 226 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:09,560 Speaker 2: this system. We do need to recognize it's essential. We 227 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 2: all want an ambulance if we need one. So therefore 228 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:15,199 Speaker 2: we got a funded accordingly Abigail. 229 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:18,840 Speaker 1: In terms of the situation in Alice Springs as well, 230 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: I understand that throughout all of these throughout all of 231 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 1: the juggling that's John are doing over the course of 232 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 1: the weekend, paramedic was set upon by somebody as well. 233 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, we've had well over twenty three violent offenses against 234 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 2: paramedics in four months in Alice Springs. The weekend sadly 235 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 2: was not unusual. We're averaging one to two of those 236 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 2: cases a week at the moment. This particular paramedic was 237 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:48,160 Speaker 2: supporting a lady who then just was not required to 238 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:50,480 Speaker 2: go to hospital, so she took exception to that and 239 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:54,319 Speaker 2: she went to punch the paramedic in the face. Paramedic 240 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:57,000 Speaker 2: was able to pull away and block, but still got 241 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:59,440 Speaker 2: hit and we stood her down. And we stood her 242 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:04,840 Speaker 2: down also because this particular paramedic has experienced occupational violence 243 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 2: only a week prior with a domestic violence incident where 244 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 2: she and her partner very bravely and they are absolute 245 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:13,840 Speaker 2: heroes in my book, kept that woman safe from her 246 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 2: violent partner by locking the doors while he tried to 247 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 2: get into the ambulance and used his vehicle to try 248 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:22,040 Speaker 2: and attack the ambulance. So this is the reality of 249 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:24,240 Speaker 2: what they face every day. And it's not okay. 250 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 1: That is not okay. That's absolutely horrifying that they had 251 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:30,720 Speaker 1: to go through that. When you say that you stood 252 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 1: her down, you mean that she's the not on shift 253 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: for a little period of absolutely never a break. 254 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 2: You know she's been assaulted. It would you know it 255 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 2: shouldn't happen in any workplace. But recognizing the distress that 256 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 2: this causes everybody when this happens, including her crew and 257 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 2: her partners and those who have experienced similar violence previously. 258 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 1: You know, it's bad enough that they're going through that, 259 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:52,920 Speaker 1: but then, as we've certainly discussed, you know, they are 260 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 1: incredibly busy. All of your staff at this point, what 261 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 1: are you, like, what are you doing to support those 262 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:01,959 Speaker 1: frontline paramedics that are working under extreme pressure. 263 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 2: I would love to have more resources, Katie. More resources 264 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:09,600 Speaker 2: would certainly give them some assistance. And even if we 265 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 2: try and put extra ones on the road today, we 266 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,600 Speaker 2: don't have the staff to do that. So that's our reality. 267 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:18,800 Speaker 2: So what can we do. We can remind them that 268 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:21,320 Speaker 2: we're in this together. We've got a psychologist as part 269 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 2: of our team. We have a chaplain as part of 270 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 2: our team. We have a health and wellness group that 271 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 2: will work with paramedics, and peer support of course, which 272 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 2: is incredibly important. So we do what we can to 273 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 2: support our paramedics. But this does have a toll over 274 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 2: a career, over a period of time, so we need 275 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 2: to be remembering how hard their job is. And I 276 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 2: would ask the public to show their respect and kindness 277 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 2: to our paramedics and our call takers. The delays you're 278 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 2: experiencing are not their fault. They are trying to do 279 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:53,440 Speaker 2: everything they can to meet that demand. Please be kind 280 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 2: to them. 281 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:59,080 Speaker 1: Abigail, what is next for you as the CEO? I 282 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: mean you've literally stepped into this role. I want to say, 283 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 1: what a month ago, maybe a little bit longer. 284 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:07,680 Speaker 2: It's week six, Ladie, it's week six. 285 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:10,320 Speaker 1: It's week six. Well, you've certainly hit the ground running. 286 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 2: But what is next? 287 00:14:12,040 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 1: You know, I know you have a lot of staff 288 00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 1: that listen to this show. You've got the public listening 289 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: this morning. They're worried that they're going to call They're 290 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,320 Speaker 1: not going to be able to get an ambulance. You know, 291 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: what are you going to do as a CEO to 292 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 1: you know, to try your best to help the people 293 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:32,240 Speaker 1: that work for you, but also for other territorians. 294 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:35,440 Speaker 2: So my responsibility is to raise the awareness so people 295 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:38,960 Speaker 2: understand what's happening, to support our crews. It's to ask 296 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 2: the public to remember how important our ambulance service is, 297 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 2: how important our paramedics are, and to show that genuine 298 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 2: kindness and care for them to call us if you 299 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:51,520 Speaker 2: are having an emergency. I'm not asking you not to 300 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 2: do that, but what I am asking is if it 301 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 2: is not an emergency, and you can see your GP. 302 00:14:56,320 --> 00:14:59,560 Speaker 2: Please do that for us. That's a simple thing you 303 00:14:59,560 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 2: can do right now. I would also say, if you 304 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 2: feel passionately about this, talk to your local representative, encourage 305 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 2: them to speak to government. As I said, government are supportive, 306 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 2: but I think a unified approach is really important here. 307 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:15,840 Speaker 1: Yeah. I think that all of us, you know, will 308 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,360 Speaker 1: be standing up and saying that we do expect there 309 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 1: to be that funding provided to Saint John. We want 310 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 1: you guys to be able to do your jobs because 311 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 1: ultimately Territorians need it. 312 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 2: I agree, Katie. Couldn't agree with you more. Can I 313 00:15:28,200 --> 00:15:31,080 Speaker 2: just say to you that our paramedics are there for 314 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:33,360 Speaker 2: the community every single day. Please be there for them. 315 00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:36,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, they really are, you know. And then even when 316 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:39,520 Speaker 1: you look at the volunteers, there are so many events 317 00:15:39,520 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 1: that happen around the Northern Territory that couldn't happen without 318 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 1: those volunteers. You know, when you look at the work 319 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 1: that Saint John does, it is amazing. 320 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 2: So can I just say thank you. You reminded me, Katie, 321 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:51,400 Speaker 2: two of our volunteers stood up on the weekend and 322 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 2: actually formed an ambulance crew with paramedics to try and 323 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 2: meet the demand that was on Saturday night. Even with 324 00:15:57,400 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 2: the additional two crews, we weren't able to keep up. 325 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:03,040 Speaker 2: So our volunteers are extraordinary and they do an amazing 326 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 2: job in our community. And then they need an ambulance 327 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,920 Speaker 2: to come and assist when that sporting injury, for example, 328 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 2: needs to be transported to hospital. 329 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:13,560 Speaker 1: That actually makes me feel quite emotional thinking that you've 330 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: got volunteers that are prepared to step up to try 331 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 1: and help their mates with in Saint John to try 332 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 1: to ensure that Territorians are able to be responded to. 333 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 1: You know, that's what they're doing as individuals and you 334 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:29,000 Speaker 1: guys as an organization, Katie. 335 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,560 Speaker 2: Saint John has been an ambulance service provider for the 336 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 2: territory for over fifty years. They've done it passionately, they've 337 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 2: done it quietly, and they've served Territorians extremely well. We 338 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 2: need to ensure that we continue to support our paramedics 339 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 2: and Some John Ambulance to do the job they do clearly, 340 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:47,800 Speaker 2: very well, well into the future. 341 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:51,440 Speaker 1: Abigail, just a couple of quick listener texts and questions. 342 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 1: I know your press for time. I don't want to 343 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:55,600 Speaker 1: hold you up. Somebody here saying, Katie, when are we 344 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:57,960 Speaker 1: going to address the elephant in the room that there's 345 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 1: too many non ambulance paying passes just using the system 346 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:04,399 Speaker 1: as a taxi service. Start charging people and the situation 347 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:05,120 Speaker 1: will improve. 348 00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:07,879 Speaker 2: So you know, that would be great if that was 349 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 2: just simply the answer. It's just not. 350 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 1: So. 351 00:17:10,080 --> 00:17:13,640 Speaker 2: The priority ones we experienced on the weekend are critical emergencies. 352 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:16,720 Speaker 2: We couldn't get to the critical emergencies. The types of 353 00:17:17,160 --> 00:17:20,560 Speaker 2: jobs you're referring to is the saw tooth at two am. 354 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 2: We classify those as A four and a five, so 355 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:26,760 Speaker 2: they're waiting sixteen, seventeen, twenty four hours when we're that busy. 356 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 2: So that actually isn't the problem. It's the fact we 357 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,480 Speaker 2: can't get to the emergencies first and foremost. 358 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:36,040 Speaker 1: Somebody else said, when there's a code white, maybe the 359 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:39,320 Speaker 1: ambulance Service should look after their volunteer system so that 360 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 1: they're able to help as well. 361 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:44,239 Speaker 2: Absolutely, I am looking at that in relation to what 362 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 2: volunteers we have that are already in ambulance training and 363 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 2: can we use them to help us surge. But we 364 00:17:49,680 --> 00:17:54,560 Speaker 2: need to remember that you want a qualified, capable person 365 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 2: to turn up to your emergency, and we put our 366 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:59,400 Speaker 2: volunteers out there because they are doing the right thing 367 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:01,520 Speaker 2: for us. Are we doing the right thing to them? 368 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:04,480 Speaker 2: They're going to see things, Katie, that are quite distressing. 369 00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:07,480 Speaker 2: They are not normal to see on a daily basis, 370 00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:09,000 Speaker 2: and we also need to be mindful of that. 371 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 1: Abigail Truan, v CEO of Saint John really appreciate your 372 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:15,440 Speaker 1: time this morning. Thanks so much for. 373 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 2: Joining us, Katie, It's my pleasure. Thank you, thank you.