Paramedics claim supporting a controversial new trial will put crucial specialists at risk
The action has been launched by the NSW Ambulance's Mental Health Clinician Responder Team (MHCRT).
The unit will be formed of specialist paramedics alongside a specialist mental health nurse to respond promptly to patients' needs and lower hospital wait times.
But the Australian Paramedics Association of NSW has accused the trial of putting medics, nurses and patients at risk, and members are banned from taking part in the initiative.
'Our patients in need of mental healthcare deserve better than being treated as an afterthought,' paramedic and the union's assistant secretary Gary Wilson said.
'This action is about safety. These safety risks have been raised on an ongoing basis with representatives of the employer since February.
'To date their response to these concerns has been little more than "computer says no".'
Mr Wilson said the service only had a handful of trained specialist operations paramedics (SOT) who must be available when required.
NSW Ambulance has announced a pilot which will combine specialist paramedics and mental health units to offer a 'rapid response' to patients
'If our extremely limited SOT resources are used to cover for (NSW) Health's failure to provide appropriate mental health services rather than treated as the scarce, highly specialised essential resources they are safety will continue to be compromised,' he said.
NSW paramedics said on Wednesday they would refuse any action implementing the MHCRT program, including relocating resources or participating in training.
The union also called for NSW Ambulance to stop plans that use 'scarcely resourced special operations paramedic teams' for a trial of mental health carers.
Instead, it urged for the expansion of the Mental Health Acute Assessment Team model.
A NSW Ambulance spokesperson told news.com.au that the safety of clinicians, patients, and the community was the 'top priority'.
'NSW Ambulance assures the community that SOT qualified paramedics will remain available for incidents that require their specialist skills,' the spokesperson said.
'The MHCRT trial involves NSW Ambulance SOT paramedics working with NSW Health mental health nurses hosted by Western Sydney Local Health District.'
They said the trial could improve mental health patients' experiences through rapid responses, assessments and referrals to the most appropriate mental health pathway.
It could also reduce waiting times at emergency departments.
The spokesperson said that, during the consultation period, risks and control measures were undertaken and shared with the union and other stakeholders.
But the union has requested for the matter to be urgently listed at the Industrial Relations Commission, which is due to be heard on Monday.
NSW Ambulance said it was committed to continue discussions during the commission session.
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The Guardian
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