4 Mar 2010

Workload warning from ambulance workers

8:58 am on 4 March 2010

Ambulance officers are warning of a crisis in the sector as paramedics deal with fatigue and heavy workloads.

Officers say it's now common to work for up to six to eight hours before being able to take a break.

The National Distribution Union says paramedics are struggling to keep up with an increasing demand for their services and wants St John to better manage meal breaks or offer compensation when breaks aren't taken.

It is also calling for the Government to speed up the development of a model to sustain services, by funding according to population or the number of emergency services.

St John says it's currently in wage negotiation with unions.