Better work-life balance for Queensland ambulance officers

Queensland Ambulance Service officers working in the State’s busiest stations will have a better work-life balance after an overwhelming vote in favour of a proposed 12-hour roster.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said 81.1% of 1551 votes cast by QAS officers supported the proposal, which will effectively mean the introduction of a core roster of four days on four days off for ambulance officers in 24-hour, seven-day stations and communication centres across the State.

“This is the best possible Christmas present for ambulance officers and their families. It will mean that more staff will have more consecutive days off more regularly,” Mr Roberts said.

“That is great news for ambulance officers, their families and of course for Queenslanders who will rely on our ambulance officers in emergencies.”

“Our ambulance officers are hard-working and dedicated. The new rosters are designed to minimise shift overruns and minimise fatigue among frontline staff.”

“Patient satisfaction with QAS is already at a very impressive 97%.”

Mr Roberts said he thanked QAS and the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU) for negotiating the proposal and consulting with ambulance officers on the new rosters.

In October, Premier Anna Bligh and Mr Roberts announced the Government had accepted roster reform recommendation from QAS and LHMU subject to consultation with ambulance officers.

Following consultation with ambulance officers, the proposal was amended to start shifts at 7am rather than 6am. As this altered the Enterprise Partnership Agreement, a ballot of ambulance officers was required.

“The roster reform proposal was developed with ambulance officers for ambulance officers and it has now been overwhelming approved by ambulance officers,” Mr Roberts said.

Mr Roberts said the Government was committed to an effective and efficient QAS.

“With the overwhelming support of ambulance officers in the ballot, the QAS will move to implement the new 12-hour core roster in the New Year,” Mr Roberts said.

“Ambulance officers will also enjoy up to nine weeks’ leave each year – made up of annual leave and accrued time-off – with the introduction of the 38-hour week in October this year.”

In 2007-08, QAS has a record budget of $404.4 million and it was already budgeted to recruit 250 additional ambulance officers on top of more than 100 frontline officers who will be employed following the achievement of savings identified in the QAS audit.

* To pass, the roster reform proposal had to receive 50% of the votes plus one.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3247 8194 or 0418 197 350