New filming restrictions placed on the hit reality series Paramedics have been blasted as duplicitous. Consequently, the West Australian Health system is under a microscope. Restrictions include not allowing any criticism or negative representation of the WA Health system. They have banned filming after ambulances bring patients in to the hospitals, and ban the use of any footage that could imply capacity limits at these institutions. This drastic change has been met with widespread condemnation from national and local politicians, public health institutions, and concerned citizens.
The WA Health Department and its service providers maintain the right to decline any footage that may be published, broadcasted, or streamed. WTFN Entertainment declined to answer ABC’s questions regarding these protocols. This unfortunate lack in communication between the state and the public has sparked a large battle for transparency and accountability in the state’s health system.
Political Backlash
WA’s Shadow Health Minister, Libby Mettam, has vehemently opposed the government’s decision to restrict filming. She contends that such actions represent a failure of transparency. They miss the mark on solutions to the paramedic crisis and the ongoing challenges for our health system.
“Ambulance ramping has become part and parcel of working as a paramedic under the Cook Labor Government, and for this government to issue such a directive on this program highlights a lack of transparency and accountability,” – Libby Mettam.
Mettam condemned the directive as a “disservice” to patients and health workers. This reproach arrives in the midst of the crisis manufactured by ambulance ramping. She was not afraid to air her grievances about the government’s efforts to cover up and paint over the truth of what was happening.
“This directive is not only a disservice to WA patients, to health workers, to paramedics, but is also deeply dishonest for the government to issue such a directive during an ambulance ramping crisis,” – Libby Mettam.
Her remarks publicly underscore the growing exasperation with this state of play among advocates. They call for increased transparency and consistency in how health services are managed, and depicted in the media.
St John WA’s Role in Filming
St John WA, the state’s main ambulance provider, has publicly pledged its dedication to transparency. St John WA is the only ambulance service in Australia to report daily ramping data. This promise serves as another illustration of its commitment to accountability on health care industry matters. From 2021, St John WA has deployed an extraordinary influence to assist the healthcare system. They have announced an additional 800 hospital beds as well, more than doubling the system’s capacity to that of an additional Fiona Stanley Hospital.
In addition to these efforts, the organization is now partnering with WTFN Entertainment. This latest contract gives the production company complete editorial control. In addition to reviewing materials early and often, St John WA uses and encourages the broader stakeholder community to use inclusive content. They serve to protect operational, legal, and reputational obligations.
A St John WA spokesperson told news.com.au that they have long advocated for greater transparency around health care reporting.
“We support transparency and believe the series (Paramedics) complements, rather than replaces, those efforts,” – St John WA spokesperson.
This unique partnership raises exciting questions around what really happens to paramedics in the field. Will these restrictive filming guidelines reflect their truth?
Concerns from Medical Professionals
Michael Page, president of the Australian Medical Association of WA (AMA WA), has highlighted the importance of accurately portraying the frustrations faced by paramedics. He insists that the public ought to witness the struggle that health workers endure today on the frontlines.
“I hope that there’s no intervention from government that prevents the viewer from seeing the full picture of the state of our health system and the tough job that our paramedics do every day, as well as the work done by our doctors, our nurses and everyone else working in our health system,” – Michael Page.
Page’s comments bring a real world focus to the crisis exposed by AMA WA’s recent ambulance ramping report card. Further, our report indicates that ramping hours have increased or doubled in some states in the last five years. For his part, Dr. The increased strain of short hospital bed shortages, long wait times for ambulances pooling outside facilities, and other factors only add to the burden.
“They’re frustrated by the state of our public hospital system, the shortage of beds that causes them to have to wait outside hospitals rather than getting out and attending to the next patient in the community who needs their care,” – Michael Page.
He cited the imperative to rebuild crumbling hospital infrastructure. In order to meet the ever-growing needs of Western Australia’s increasing population, he urged for the expansion of bed capacity.
