‘Kick in the guts’: Ambulance Victoria slammed for penny-pinching move
Two award and graduation ceremonies for paramedics have reportedly been cancelled in a penny-pinching move by Ambulance Victoria.
An internal email has been sent to staff notifying them Metropolitan Staff Service Awards on July 19 and September 6 have been cancelled due to budget constraints.
Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill says it’s “a kick in the guts” for paramedics.
Press PLAY below to hear the union’s reaction to the decision
“They’re just usually held in local function centres … they’re not particularly lavish events and they’re just really important milestones for the paramedics, particularly after the last couple of years and everything they’ve been through,” Joe* told Neil Mitchell.
Press PLAY below to hear the tip Neil Mitchell received
Staff who were set to receive medals or certificates at the ceremonies will instead receive them in the mail.
The state government had denied the award presentation nights have been cancelled due to funding.
In a statement, Ambulance Victoria executive director clinical operations, Anthony Carlyon, said “It is with genuine regret that we have postponed two staff events, which we hope to reschedule”.
“We are considering how we can best come together to celebrate and honour the achievements of our graduate and experienced paramedics and first responders,” he said.
*not his real name