THESE Wagga rescue paramedics are in for the fight of their lives at a protest rally today in Sydney.Health Services Union members Mark Stephenson, Phil Hoey, John Polsen, Brett Campbell, Eamonn Purcell and James Sutton will join hundreds of paramedics from across the state in a demonstration against proposed changes to the Ambulance Service of NSW (ASNSW).Channel 7’s Sunrise is expected to speak to some of the 500-plus paramedics this morning ahead of a rally at Martin Place and picket outside Parliament House.Family time, career advancement and staff retention are only some of the things at risk, according to HSU Riverina spokesman Mark Stephenson.“We’re going to Sydney to let the health minister know we are utterly opposed to all of the recommendations of the Head Review and we feel if (NSW Health Minister) Reba Meagher adopts them, it will have a detrimental effect on the service and our members,” Mr Stephenson told The Daily Advertiser.The report was prepared by Director of Performance Review Graeme Head from the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet.A bone of contention is Mr Head’s recommendation to take away rescue response from paramedics and give it to the NSW Fire Brigade.Statewide, paramedics have voted to reject all recommendations.Mr Stephenson expects paramedics will vote to undertake further industrial action at meetings to be held this afternoon.
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