NEWS-HR

New South Wales paramedics have been verbally and physically assaulted at least 60 times this year, with long-term paramedics admitting the threat of violence is now just part of the job. The figures, provided by the New South Wales Ambulance service, come as new safety guidelines are set to be introduced to help protect paramedics during their shifts.

Estia Investments Pty Ltd will defend a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) in front of Fair Work Deputy President Anderson in his Adelaide chambers (Petts).

A doctor was allegedly hit with a metal medical stand and a nurse was spat on in an ugly incident at Townsville Hospital. Police were called to the hospital about 2.45pm Friday in response to reports a doctor had allegedly been assaulted. It will be alleged a man was receiving treatment when he became abusive, swearing loudly towards hospital staff and disturbing other patients. A Queensland Police Service spokesman said a doctor approached the man, who was in a bed, and asked him to quieten down.

The Royal Children’s Hospital and Duckham will contest a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Fair Work Commissioner Cribb in Conference Room E and Conference F – Level 6 in Melbourne in 30 minutes.

The head of a disability support service that employed a man who attempted to rape one of their clients has defended the company’s processes. David Jack Peter Cottam, 24, was sentenced to three year’s imprisonment on Friday for trying to have sex with a severely disabled woman on Boxing Day 2016. The incident occurred at a shared accommodation facility in Townsville, operated by Cootharinga North Queensland. Cottam was employed by Cootharinga to care for his victim but attempted to manoeuvre her body to have sex with him when he was supposed to be assisting her in the shower.

An application by Victorian Hospitals’ Industrial Association (s.240 – Application to deal with a bargaining dispute) will be heard by Commissioner Cribb in Conference Room E and Conference F – Level 6 in Melbourne at 12.30pm.

Nurses have started a purple protest after losing patience with the $2.3 billion Royal Adelaide Hospital as they are forced to treat people in the carpark. Seven months after the $1 million-a-day-until-June-2046 hospital opened, nurses are donning purple scrubs in protest over what they say are risks to patients due to ambulances now chronically queued with patients in the carpark.

The Health Services Union and Monash Health will contest a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) at 10.30am before Commissioner Cribb in Conference Room E – Level 6 and Conference Room F – Level 6 in Melbourne.