Ms. Ann-Maree Fardell Hartley1
1Nsw Ambulance, Sydney Olympic Park, Australia
Biography:
Annie is a psychologist with 25 years’ experience working in the delivery of clinical services, education and research. She is currently the Principal Psychologist – Systems for NSW Ambulance. She is also completing a PhD investigating how those who are experiencing suicidality interact with social media.
Abstract:
Background: Potentially Traumatic Events (PTE) in the workplace can have a profound impact on first responders personally and professionally and workplaces have a responsibility to support all employees who have been exposed. NSW Ambulance’s Staff Health Team have developed processes to ensure that the support needs delivered internally to the workforce are meeting the needs of those impacted by a PTE within an evidence-based framework.
Actions: The Staff Health Directorate has developed a stepped care framework focused on person-centered care, scaled to the bespoke needs of the PTE and the Operational Sector in which the PTE is embedded. This framework involves organizational preparation and upskilling in preparedness for future events, PTE scaling, formulation of zones of impact taxonomy and integrated delivery of internal and external employed, volunteer and contracted support services.
Results: Whilst it acknowledged that there is a range of uncontrollable factors in planning for a PTE, the Staff Health Directorate is delivering initiatives to address the potential impact from PTE via evidence-based models and contributing to building a trauma-informed and responsive first-responder workforce and culture.
Conclusions: The Staff Health Directorate is a key partner along with the operations when exposure to PTEs occurs for NSW Ambulance employees, volunteers and contractors. Whilst the delivery of care continues to evolve over time with organizational changes and bespoke PTE requirements, the delivery of stepped care wellbeing support for those exposed to trauma endeavours to creating positive and sustainable outcomes in the health and wellbeing of the NSW Ambulance workforce.