A health union official has apologised for incorrectly stating in the Central Western Daily that Orange paramedic Ian Spurway had been returned to duties.
A health union official has apologised for incorrectly stating in the Central Western Daily that Orange paramedic Ian Spurway had been returned to duties.
“Unfortunately I got that wrong and I am embarrassed,” Health Services Union (HSU) industrial services acting manager Tom Stevanja said.
Mr Spurway remains off operational duties in an ambulance after being assigned to desk duties by ambulance administration officials last week.
Mr Spurway and the Ambulance Service of NSW have declined to comment on the reasons for Mr Spurway being stood down.
The Central Western Daily has learnt that Mr Spurway will meet with his superiors today.
As the Orange HSU union representative, Mr Spurway has been a vocal campaigner for more paramedics in Orange over the last few months, saying Orange’s staffing levels have not increasing in the last 20 years, despite a growing workload.
Mr Spurway’s standing down comes in the lead up to the launch of a campaign by Orange City Council next month to support the union’s calls for more paramedics in the city.
Councillor Glenn Taylor put forward the motion to lobby for more paramedics, after a personal experience last year when he had to wait a long time for an ambulance to attend his young daughter who had lapsed into a diabetic coma.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au