Victoria
Ambulance union blindsided by state mental health call-out plan
The Victorian Ambulance Union claims it only learned of a government plan to change mental health call-outs through the media.
The Victorian Ambulance Union says it was left in the dark over a state government plan to make paramedics the primary responders to mental health call-outs, learning of the significant policy shift only through media reports. According to a wire report, the union has expressed serious concerns after discovering the proposed changes without any prior consultation from government decision-makers.
The policy represents a major shift in how emergency services respond to acute psychiatric crises in Victoria. Historically, these calls have frequently involved police officers as first responders, but the new strategy aims to position healthcare professionals at the forefront of the state's response. However, the complete lack of direct communication with the union has raised immediate questions about how the transition will be safely and effectively managed.
At this stage, many details of the proposed plan remain unconfirmed. It is not yet clear what specific training, funding or additional resources will be provided to paramedic crews to support this expanded and potentially challenging role. The union has indicated that its members were not briefed on the operational guidelines, safety protocols or staffing implications of the policy before the information was released to the public.
The state government has not yet publicised the full timeline for the implementation of the initiative, nor has it clarified how it intends to address the union's grievances regarding the lack of consultation. The Victorian Ambulance Union represents thousands of frontline emergency workers who will be directly affected by any changes to mental health dispatch protocols.
Observers will be watching to see how the state government responds to the union's criticism and whether formal consultation sessions will be established to address paramedic safety and resourcing.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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