The Emergency Medical Service Protection Association of NSW Inc. (EMSPA) is an association formed by NSW Ambulance Paramedics to support and legally represent NSW ambulance employees.

EMSPA Media Spokesperson, Grant Jennison today stated that, ?a large number of EMSPA members have approached EMSPA with grave concerns that the ASNSW has failed to protect the public of NSW from contaminated drugs.?

?Paramedics are trained to save people?s lives and to try and relieve their patients? pain. Yet, ASNSW has only now officially told Paramedics that vials of Fentanyl, a restricted pain-relieving drug, have been subject to tampering.?

?We don?t know what was in those tampered vials when they were administered to patients,? Mr. Jennison stated.

?Paramedics are extremely concerned they may have unwittingly exposed their patients to contaminated and/or substituted Fentanyl,? Mr Jennison said today.

?Paramedics are horrified to learn about the length of time the ASNSW has known about the contamination of Fentanyl. EMSPA has information that the ASNSW has been aware of this issue for years, yet processes identified by the Hon. Robyn Parker in the 2008 GPSC 2 Inquiry, have not improved the administration and security of ASNSW medications.?

?Of greatest concern to paramedics is the health of patients who have been administered contaminated drugs. All patients identified as at risk must be informed and medically examined, with appropriate counselling and subsequent testing arranged,? Mr. Jennison said.

?EMSPA request that the CEO Greg Rochford inform the public about this serious safety breach immediately,? added Mr. Jennison.

?EMSPA believes that a state-wide recall and audit of all Fentanyl vials should be undertaken by pharmacy trained staff to ensure integrity of current stock,? Mr Jennion said.

?It is EMSPA?s objective to support NSW Ambulance Paramedics and to protect the public from harm.?

Thank you to those members who attended our rally outside Ambulance State Heqdquarters on Thursday 17th September. The purpose of this rally, among other things, was to show the Ambulance Service that as a legitimate employee support organisation, we will not tolerate discrimination or bullying from ambulance management for being members of EMSPA.

The Association would like to thank Shadow Health Minister Jillian Skinner for her attendance and support of our Association, as well as her ongoing enthusiasm to ensure that NSW Paramedics are afforded the management they deserve in light of recommendations put forward by the General Purpose Standing Committee.

We are aware that despite the public statement from an unnamed source at Rozelle that "the Ambulance Service does not seek to interfere with the choices made by any employee who wishes to be a member of EMSPA..." , discrimination, harrassment and threats of disciplinary action against EMSPA members continue for instances such as simply displaying EMSPA material on station. We would like any member who encounters this type of behaviour from Ambulance management to provide all details to the Senior Regional Liaison Officer via email at the earlist possible convenience.

EMSPA Qld Vice President Jock Ruthven also addressed the rally and was able to take questions from members regarding EMSPA activities as well as provide some powerful statements for media in relation to EMSPA's stance on changes required within the Ambulance Service to improve morale amongst staff and maximise service delivery to the public.