Today’s question comes from South Australia where, as:
… in other states there are harsher maximum penalties applied to various offences against emergency service workers than if they were an ordinary member of the public. With that in mind, if
Australian Emergency Law
Australian Emergency Law, published by Michael Eburn, PhD, focuses on legal issues related to emergency services and responses in Australia. The blog covers topics such as employment disputes and disciplinary actions within fire and rescue services, legal implications of safety alerts issued by rural fire services, and the legal aftermath of emergency incidents including terrorism and public safety events. It also addresses industrial relations and ministerial powers affecting emergency service organizations, as well as procedural challenges faced by emergency service personnel in legal claims. The blog discusses statutory interpretation, negligence, liability, and regulatory compliance in the context of emergency management and public safety law.
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Paramedics and the patient refusing blood products – SA
By M. Eburn
Today’s correspondent is ‘… a Paramedic in South Australia working for SAAS’. They tell me that:
Last week we attended a gentleman who was bleeding. Luckily the bleeding was controlled but there was a long extrication period.
Upon us being…
WA Health ‘Use of Restrictive Practices in Non-Authorised Healthcare Settings Policy’ (19 July 2024).
By M. Eburn
Today’s question follows on from an earlier post: No power to detain a patient just because it’s good for them (January 22, 2023). For related posts see also:
…
Doctor applies to have name removed from published judgement
By M. Eburn
Today’s case relates to a medical practitioner but may be of interest to paramedics or indeed to anyone who appears before a public tribunal and then finds there name, and history, is available online for all time.
In Health Care…
Police accessing health practitioners computer or phone
By M. Eburn
Today’s correspondent asks about the:
… complex and rapidly evolving legal scenario regarding new police data extraction powers and their conflict with medical confidentiality.
Specifically, I am concerned about the legal ramifications when police seize and copy a mobile device—either…
NSW Pharmaceutical services fail to mention paramedics in legislation update
By M. Eburn
I have previously reported that there are new drugs laws coming into force in NSW on 5 November 2026 – see Changes coming to NSW drug legislation (July 12, 2026). I signed up to receive newsletters from Pharmaceutical Services of NSW…
Requiring a Working with Children Check – NSW SES
By M. Eburn
I received the following as a response to my post Interstate paramedic and NSW Working with Children Check (August 30, 2026):
The minimum age to join the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is 16: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/faqs
In the last few…
Interstate paramedic and NSW Working with Children Check
By M. Eburn
Today’s correspondent is
… a paramedic employed in Victoria by Ambulance Victoria. I currently work in a border town and often find myself transporting patients to a hospital located in NSW as well as, occasionally attending cases in NSW.
We…
Sports trainers and first aid – Victoria
By M. Eburn
Today’s question is a follow up to the post Student paramedic as team first aider (August 27, 2026). My correspondent says:
I would be interested in your view on, particularly in relation to sports trainers in Victoria.
We regularly see sporting…
Drugs and ‘doctor’s orders’ Victoria
By M. Eburn
Today’s
… question relates to the administration of drugs by Registered Paramedics (within ambulance and not within ambulance), in Victoria, and the inability for them to receive a Doctor’s Order to administer a medication.
There are three scenarios. The first, is…