Ambulance Victoria review – Update 17 (29 July 2022)

29 July 2022

I’m pleased to provide the 17th update of the Commission’s Independent review into workplace equality in Ambulance Victoria – and the first update for phase two of the review.

I appreciate this update comes to you in the context of increasing Covid-19 cases and ongoing pressure on Ambulance Victoria and the broader health system. I do hope you are all taking care of yourselves and each other at this incredibly challenging time.

Since my last update, the review has transitioned into phase two: implementation. During this period, Ambulance Victoria is responsible for taking action to implement the 43 recommendations set out in the final, phase one report of the review. I understand the Executive Director of AV’s new Equality & Workplace Reform Division is sending out regular updates to keep staff updated about their work.

While it is Ambulance Victoria’s job to drive reform to address the issues identified in the review, the Commission has not walked away. Over the next 12 months, we will continue to meet regularly with Ambulance Victoria and my team and I will be on hand to provide expert advice and guidance in support of implementation. We will then return in 2023 (phase three) to audit Ambulance Victoria’s progress in implementing priority recommendations from the review.

Ambulance Victoria and the Commission have agreed to a set of guiding principles and parameters for how we will work together during this next phase of the review. We look forward to seeing these released on Ambulance Victoria’s intranet shortly.

The Commission looks forward to continuing to work with Ambulance Victoria and critical stakeholders, including unions and the Department of Health, to ensure that the stories you shared with us throughout the review are heard and are the catalysts for enduring change.

I’ll be in touch with further updates in the coming months as phase two of the review continues to progress.

In the meantime, I encourage you all to make the most of the codesign and consultation activities that Ambulance Victoria offers so you can continue to help shape a safer, fairer and more equal and inclusive Ambulance Victoria for the future.

Warmly,

Ro Allen
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner