Report calls for reform at Ambulance Victoria

‘The evidence presented is stark: Ambulance Victoria is an organisation in crisis,’ said Committee Chair, Joe McCracken.

The Committee received substantial evidence pointing to nepotism, bullying, harassment and intimidation at Ambulance Victoria.

It made 52 findings and 21 recommendations for the Victorian Government to consider.

The Committee found that many former and current employees were still afraid to speak publicly about workplace issues at Ambulance Victoria.

Of the 190 submissions received by the Committee, 85 requested that their name be withheld from their submission, and 36 requested that their submission be confidential.

‘If I was still employed by AV I would have been fearful to have made this submission,’ one former paramedic told the Committee. ‘I wonder how many paramedics employed by AV would have liked to put in a submission, but are too scared?’

The Committee referred extensively to a review of Ambulance Victoria’s workplace equality by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. The review found that discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying and victimisation were widespread within Ambulance Victoria, making 43 recommendations in March 2022.

Three years later, the Committee concluded that ‘there has been limited or no progress on many of the recommendations.’

The inquiry also investigated Ambulance Victoria’s service delivery.

While the Committee found that Ambulance Victoria consistently meets performance targets for high quality and safe care, it concluded that there are ongoing issues with over-triaging and ambulance ramping.

These issues were compounded by poor workplace conditions and under-resourcing.

‘Excessive workloads are pushing paramedics to breaking point,’ Mr McCracken said. ‘Stress, burnout and psychological injury are now common.’

The Committee concluded that more needs to be done to improve working conditions at Ambulance Victoria.

‘Change at Ambulance Victoria is not optional—it is urgent and badly needed,’ Mr McCracken said.

‘Improvements must be made not only for the benefit of paramedics, but for the patients they serve and every Victorian who depends on an ambulance in their hour of need.’

The Committee held four days of public hearings, hearing from 35 individuals. This included representatives of Ambulance Victoria, academics and former employees, with several witnesses appearing anonymously.

‘I thank every individual who contributed, especially those who did so at great personal risk,’ Mr McCracken said.