NEW motorcycle paramedics, an integral part of a Baillieu government plan to tackle Victoria's ambulance crisis, will operate only in daylight and in dry weather.
Despite ambulance response times in and around the CBD being some of the best in the state, the Government will splash out $2.8 million on a six-bike motorcycle paramedic fleet.
Ambos have flipped over the "part-time paramedics" plan, saying it is a wasteful bid to fudge response times.
The equivalent cash could buy a new ambulance and pay the wages of 10 full-time paramedics for three years.
"That's the equivalent of running an ambulance unit 24 hours a day," ambulance union state secretary Steve McGhie said.
The first motorcycle paramedic will be active by the end of the year, with the effectiveness and success of the unit to be evaluated after a three-year trial. But paramedics say it is a waste of money.
"They haven't got the political will to throw money at more ambulances so they cook up a plan like this," one paramedic said.
"It just allows them to stop the clock and say they got there in less than 15 minutes. It is pure political spin."
Another paramedic said the plan would endanger ambulance officers.
"If you're turning up at the aftermath of an assault or to treat someone who is drug or alcohol-affected by yourself and on a motorbike, you're leaving yourself wide open," he said.
Mr McGhie said the union had serious health-and-safety concerns over the plan. Security of drugs, equipment and the bike were major issues.
"There has been little thought or consultation before the Government announced this," he said.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman Terry Walker said the concept was well supported by paramedics with 56 applicants for six available positions.
"There is nothing artificial about getting paramedic care to a patient in need quicker than otherwise possible," he said.
A government spokeswoman said: "Motorcycle paramedics will have a unique and invaluable role in gaining vital minutes for patients in trouble and at risk, particularly in areas with traffic congestion and access difficulties.
"The easily manoeuvrable vehicles will provide rapid access to difficult-to-reach areas and congested roads in the CBD and inner-city Melbourne, and during peak hours on arterial roads and freeways when heavy traffic slows access."
www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/motorcycle-paramedics-pure-political-spin/story-fn7x8me2-1226177718826
And they'll be the only motorcycles the general public will be pleased to see...
Adelaide had motorcycle paramedic's for awhile now, ambo guys have a trough job dealing with drunk, aggestive people, I wouldn't call them girls blouses.
