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The Council of Ambulance Authorities 2009-2010 ANNUAL REPORT PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR THE PROVISION OF AMBULANCE SERVICES Contents Chairman’s Introduction pg. 2 Council of Ambulance Authorities pg. 4 Executive Director’s Report pg. 7 CAA Committees and Working Groups pg. 9 2009 Conference Week pg. 13 Jurisdictional Reports pg. 19 Comparative Data 2009-10 pg. 62 COUNCIL OF AMBULANCE AUTHORITIES INC. 2009‐10 REPORT Page 1 PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR THE PROVISION OF AMBULANCE SERVICES Chairman’s Introduction I am pleased to present the Annual Report of the Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA) for the 2009‐10 year. The CAA has broadened relationships over the past year both nationally and internationally. A focus has been strengthening the linkages with the work being undertaken on health reforms across Australia and New Zealand while maintaining understandings of developments in Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). The ambulance sector is recognised as an essential component of reforms to improve the health care of communities in all these jurisdictions. Shared knowledge and the ability to support other services in the event of major incidents has also been a priority during this year as has the role of paramedics as part of international responses to disaster and emergency situations in nearby countries. The CAA role within the Australian Health Protection Committee has been instrumental in development of enhanced capability of services to support communities in need nationally and internationally. The accreditation of higher education paramedic programs continues to progress with the development of competency standards available to all participating higher education providers. Ultimately, this will provide for easier movement of paramedics across jurisdictions and all the benefits that flow from those movements. For the first time the CAA Convention and Rural and Remote Symposium combined with the International Round Table of Community Paramedicine was held in Auckland, New Zealand. This resulted in excellent presentations from around the world as well as attendance by representatives from seven participating countries. The strengthening of our relationship with other services has proved valuable in encouraging innovative thinking and sharing of concepts, both those that have worked and those that have not; both are valuable to know. The National Ambulance Awards program was again very successful in 2009‐10. Finalists attended the Awards dinner held at the Hilton Hotel in Auckland where the overall STAR Award was presented to David Godfrey‐Smith representing Ambulance Tasmania for the project to support the recruitment, retention and recognition of volunteers. The program has been developed by volunteers for volunteers. The Awards continue to stimulate a high level of enthusiasm and the range of innovative projects from the member jurisdictions has COUNCIL OF AMBULANCE AUTHORITIES INC. 2009‐10 REPORT Page 2 PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR THE PROVISION OF AMBULANCE SERVICES led to improvements in providing ambulance services to the communities of Australia and New Zealand and it was particularly pleasing to see a volunteer receive this award. On behalf of the CAA, I would like to thank all of the jurisdictional representatives who work so hard as members of CAA Board and Committees to continually progress the important work of the CAA. I would also like to thank the CAA Executive team who very capably support the Board and its Committees to ensure that the strategic direction of the CAA is achieved. On behalf of the CAA ambulance jurisdictions, I commend to you the 2009‐10 annual report. Greg Sassella Chairman COUNCIL OF AMBULANCE AUTHORITIES INC. 2009‐10 REPORT Page 3 PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR THE PROVISION OF AMBULANCE SERVICES Council of Ambulance Authorities The Council of Ambulance Authorities Inc. (CAA) formally incorporated in December 2002, having operated as an informal grouping of the ambulance services of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea since 1962. The CAA is the peak body representing the principal statutory providers of ambulance services in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Intent The intent of the Council of Ambulance Authorities is to influence, advise and develop superior pre‐hospital care and ambulance services in the Asia Pacific Region. Purpose Policy Actively contribute to the development of public policy; Knowledge Develop a body of knowledge through research, exchange of information, monitoring and common KPI reporting; Quality Develop and implement standards for improved quality of care and services; Synergies Develop common systems and processes; Leverage Jointly fund initiatives for common outcomes. COUNCIL OF AMBULANCE AUTHORITIES INC. 2009‐10 REPORT Page 4 PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR THE PROVISION OF AMBULANCE SERVICES History and Background In the early 1960’s William Kelly, Secretary/Superintendent of the New South Wales Ambulance Service arranged the inaugural meeting of all state and territory ambulance authorities from 4‐6th December 1962 in Canberra. Meetings were then held every two years rotating between the state and territory capital cities until 1976 when meetings began to be held annually (Kaye‐Eddie, 1996). In the 1980’s membership expanded to include New Zealand and Papua New Guinea and working parties and sub‐committees were created to address a number of issues as identified by newly titled ‘The Convention of Ambulance Authorities’. The Convention of Ambulance Authorities was formally incorporated in 2002. The title of the organisation was changed in 2005 to ‘Council of Ambulance Authorities’ (Kaye‐Eddie, 1996). Over the past 47 years, the Council has provided an important platform for the exchange of information and ideas between member services across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The achievements of the Council are evident through the commonality of standards, and improved level and quality of service which has enhanced the delivery of ambulance services to the community across Australasia. The CAA is strengthening its role to be recognised by organisations, politicians, stakeholders and the public as the leading credible organisation on issues relating to pre‐hospital emergency medicine and ambulance operations. The CAA is developing further capacity to influence and be seen as an equal partner and active interest group in ‘top table’ health and emergency management policy decision making. COUNCIL OF AMBULANCE AUTHORITIES INC. 2009‐10 REPORT Page 5 PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR THE PROVISION OF AMBULANCE SERVICES Membership Membership of the CAA includes the principal providers of ambulance services in each State and Territory of Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The Board of the CAA consists of the Chief Executives of each member service. Standing Committee members are selected from senior executives most suitable for the role of the particular committee as selected by the member service. Convention delegates include the Chief Executive of each member service and senior executives. Members of the CAA are: • A.C.T Ambulance Service (Emergency Services Agency, ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety) • Ambulance Service of New South Wales • Ambulance Tasmania (a Division of the Department of Health and Human Services) • Ambulance Victoria • Queensland Ambulance Service (a Division of the Department of Community Safety) • SA Ambulance Service • St John Ambulance Australia (NT) Inc. • St John Ambulance Australia (Western Australia) Inc. • St John New Zealand Associate Members are: • Ambulance New Zealand • St John Ambulance Papua New Guinea Source: Kaye‐Eddie, I.L. (1996). A short history of the Convention of Ambulance Authorities 1962‐1995. St John Ambulance Australia – W.A. Ambulance Service Inc. Perth, Western Australia. COUNCIL OF AMBULANCE AUTHORITIES INC. 2009‐10 REPORT Page 6 PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR THE PROVISION OF AMBULANCE SERVICES Executive Director’s Report During the past financial year the Board has progressed their strategic direction and Committees have continued to focus on current and emerging issues for the ambulance sector. Health reforms have been a focus during this period. The change to the profile of the Rural and Remote Symposium linking with the International Round Table on Community Paramedicine has led to the development of new international relationships and the building of previous linkages with overseas ambulance services. The event provided an opportunity for ambulance sectors in different countries to understand the current issues and to learn from the experiences of others. The Convention included the Ambulance Awards dinner and for the first time an Open Conference with intent to broaden the information sharing between ambulance, health and emergency service providers. The support of sponsors assisted in providing an excellent forum so that delegates were able to share their experiences and have input into planning a more integrated approach to supporting the health care needs of communities. The accreditation of entry‐level Paramedic Education Programs has been a focal point for the CAA over the past year. The accreditation process provides assurance that a graduate of an accredited course will possess the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to achieve the necessary competencies to work as a professional paramedic. In the past twelve months the Guidelines for the Assessment and Accreditation of Entry‐level Paramedic Education Programs have been reviewed and updated and the Paramedic Professional