This week 20 January: The year ahead Manual handling update ...

This week 20 January:
• The year ahead
• Manual handling update
• VACIS redesign
• Vale – Mick Wilson
The year ahead
With the new calendar year beginning I thought it might be interesting for you to know
how it might progress and provide the following thoughts.
You are aware we’ve been operating with difficult financial challenges and early this
year a further external report will be provided to the Department of Health and the AV
Board. I expect the issues will be clearly identified which will lead to discussions of
options to deal with them. These challenges have existed for many years, in each of
the previous Victorian services, and now as a single service the opportunity to deal
with them is well and truly apparent.
You might recall we identified four critical challenges early in the life of AV
(paramedic numbers in rural communities, dispatching system, the need for
increased use and accountability of private ambulance providers and the finances).
The first three have been addressed in a significant way with the last (funding model)
remaining unfinished but significant work has been done in this area and is
continuing. We will have a better idea in the next few months of the options available
and will keep you informed. I also would like to thank everyone in AV for persisting
and producing quality work during this period; it is recognised and helps us
demonstrate the value we provide to the community.
The changes to the Executive Management group may also have been noticed and
those changes have begun to ripple across each division with a number of people
moving on and new appointees replacing them. This has had a positive effect and
while it takes time for the full impact of changing management style and priorities, I
believe it is becoming apparent that we are changing our approach and the focus on
the ‘business of ambulance’ and the patient care we provide has improved.
Aligned to the changes I’ve described above, the new Board is settling in and making
an impact on senior management and this effect will also trickle through to all layers
of AV. The alignment between the Executive and Board has been carefully
considered and is not by accident. The focus, priorities and skill sets in both groups
add considerably to AV and signal very well for us to continue to develop as a single
state service. You will begin to see more of the Board Directors as they are keen to

meet our people and get to know all aspects of AV; a number of them have already
made numerous visits to various sites.
In summary, we have delivered what we said we would and this year will be one of
addressing matters of finance, policy and strategy for AV, as we signalled previously,
so that we grow as the state’s ambulance service.
Manual handling update
The joint Ambulance Victoria and WorkSafe working group, which is evaluating the
EZGlide Stair Chair and Mangar Elk Lifting Cushion, has been making good progress
recently. With the objective being the reduction in the incidence and severity of
musculoskeletal disorders resulting from manual handling tasks, this work will be of
interest to all operational staff.
The working group has been evaluating the effectiveness and use of this equipment
in the field, together with the most efficient method of deployment across the varied
working environments within AV.
To date the EZGlide Stair Chair has been utilised 168 times and the Mangar Elk
Lifting Cushion has been used 64 times. While feedback on the equipment has been
largely positive, it has been noted that space and terrain can make their use more
challenging.
The feedback gathered from the evaluation program will be used in developing an
implementation plan due to start in mid 2012.
If you would like more information please contact Sam Johnston – project officer
HSW on sam.johnston@ambulance.vic.gov.au
VACIS User Interface redesign update
Further to my update in December last year on the redesign of the VACIS User
Interface, I would like to let everyone know that the project has moved to its next
phase with the creation and testing of the new VACIS User screens.
The testing is being completed in two different ways using a prototype.
The first method of testing uses a small number of paramedics from other ambulance
services physically running the prototype through a number of scenarios whilst being
observed and giving feedback on the experience.
The second is an interactive ‘survey’ which provides a larger number of paramedics
the opportunity to see and use selected screens from the prototype and once again
provide feedback.
This interactive survey will run from January 25 until February 5 and will be open for
250 Victorian paramedics to complete. A link to the survey will be sent via email to all
operational staff on January 25.
I encourage participation in the survey as it is the opportunity for all ops staff to
provide input into how VACIS will function, look and feel before the project moves to
the development phase.

It is also pleasing to know this is an interstate activity involving the Australian east
coast ambulance services who all use VACIS and hence is a large underpinning for
paramedic treatment and patient measurement knowledge base.
Vale – Mick Wilson
Many of you would have seen the media coverage of the death of NSW paramedic,
Mick Wilson. Mick died while attempting a winch rescue from the cliff shoreline near
Sydney after suffering fatal injuries during the rescue.
AV extends it condolences to Mick’s family and to the NSW Ambulance Service.
It is a reminder of the dangers associated with our work that exist in many forms and
of the need to be conscious of looking after each other wherever possible.
Greg