ULVERSTONE

• Very helpful ambulance officers. • I praise them.

• No complaint, very good service.

• I am very satisfied with their service and I am no longer a ? of the passed.

• Ambulance officers offered the options of hospital or local doctor. The emergency call wait time would depend on how far the ambulance needed to travel to the scene. In my case, the ambo station was only 400 metres from my call position.

• I am very grateful that we have such an efficient, caring and helpful ambulance service here in Tasmania at our disposal in our time of need.

• I found them very comforting and made me much more at ease with myself. Excellent service.

• I was very happy with the care and concern that the 2 ambulance people gave to me, they were very kind and considerate and explained everything that they did for me. I think it is a very good service we have in Tasmania and would like to commend all who are involved in it.

• The trip in the ambulance is very unpleasant. They rattle, shake, have no springs! And I think that some serious sick patients most feel near to death when they arrive at the hospital.

• Very good indeed overall.

• In the past 3 years, I have called the ambulance at 3 other times. Twice for my husband, once for my son. At all times, they were prompt, efficient with excellent service.

• As on overall picture, the ambulance service does a terrific job with the resources available.

• I have cared for both parents (now deceased). The service has excellent, very caring, very professional and very skilled. The main difficultly has been the difficulty in finding the house - the maps meet on this street and officers often came the one way and these delays could lead to a worse outcome.

• Very professional, considerate and caring.

• I was very happy with the ambulance service and the care of the ambulance attendants thanks to everyone concerned.

• Very satisfied with the team that assisted me that night - very professional and caring, put me at ease very quickly, very competent team.

• The attention I received by the two young ladies on the ambulance from the time of its arrival and during the trip to hospital was excellent. I couldn't wish for more.

• I was concerned about the two woman officers. One was of very light build and without the help of my two daughter, I don't think they could got her to ambulance have safely.

• Excellent service.

• Excellent service all around.

• Nurses and attendants were very caring. Thank you.

• We have nothing but praise for the ambulance personnel. They are marvellous.

• I couldn't ask for better service, they are caring and kind, they do a great job, they should be proud of themselves, especially in those awful accidents they attend to.

• No complaint.

• I was transport from North West Regional Hospital to Launceston for a MRI scan by patient ambulance. What an awful ride in the back of the ambulance if was so rough and no good as I had a back injury. The staff were so good cannot fault them but it was so rough to ride in. I am grateful for them taking me as I could not sit in a car. • Very caring people. Keep up the good work.

• Treating of patient who was seriously ill staying in hospital for 4 weeks also dropping him on the street while getting him into the ambulance on the 9 March 2008.

• Wonderful service.

• Ambulance services for my wife have both very good and thank them very much.

• Very pleased with the way my house was secured before being moved to the hospital. Many thanks. It's a traumatic experience for one living alone when something medically occurs.

• As I have had previous experience with TAS, as I am involved with other emergency services, the ambulance officers and volunteers are of best quality.

• We cannot thank them enough. They know their job and we couldn't thank them enough. God bless them all. They are wonderful people.

• No complaints what so ever. The officers could have done nothing extra to help us in anyway. They were just excellent, and made us feel relaxed under the circumstances. Bravo.

• Very satisfied.

• I called the ambulance after a suspected snake bike - myself the patient. I had seen no snake but various things had happened to make me suspect. The ambulance officers treated me with absolute respect, without any hesitate, presuming I had been bitten. My embarrassment at the "unknown" was not a factor. Very reassuring under the circumstances.

• The several occasions we have needed to call on the ambulance service over the past 10 years have all been good experiences from kind, considerate, professional people. Thank you.

• They were all very professional and experienced and if any one ever complains about them like some complain about food in hospitals, there most not be any thing wrong with them because if you are sick you shouldn't or you don't complain. I can not speak highly enough of them. Thank you all very much (P.S. looking forward to travelling again with you)>

• Sorry have no recollection of the ambulance at all.

• My experience with the ambulance when my wife passed away was they were very caring and helpful. Could not have asked for better care. Thank you.

• The service received has been most satisfying, caring and friendly each time. Every one treated me with respect. The professional and confident manner shown by all made me feel safe. However, I like to mention that before I was transported to the Hospital last time I was assured by the three attending paramedics, that it would be better for me to go to the Mersey Hospital at Latrobe. This was despite the fact that I stated I'd preferred to go to the NWRH, where I had been admitted some months ago. 1. I was told by ambulance staff that there was a cardiologist at the Mersey Hospital, which was not the case, and I am aware that the NWRH had a cardiologist. 2. If I needed to see my cardiologist I could go by road to the LGH from the Mersey. I was told if I went to Burnie, I would have to be flown to see a cardiologist at the RHH which I knew was not the case, as the NWRH was the referring hospital to my cardiologist in Launceston. 3. I had previously been seen at the Burnie campus where doctors were familiar with my history and my patient files were kept in Burnie. 4. If I had a preference to choose, I would prefer to go to Burnie, as I'm familiar with Burnie & have family in Burnie. I reluctantly agreed to go to the Mersey Hospital. I like to stress again that beside this, the treatment experienced by the ambulance staff has been A1. With thanks.

Non-urgent

• Efficient and considerate and helpful would be lost without them.

• Despite my problem being less serious that first thought the ambulance officers were excellent with their help and treatment - first class!

• Patient: I cannot find any faults with this service in any way. The attendants most helpful and professional. A big thank you. Patient's husband: Many thanks for professional and friendly service who assisted my wife and transported her from Ulverstone to Burnie Hospital. Many thanks.

• The ambulance officers are very caring and explain everything, also very professional, they make you feel calm and safe in their company.

• The female officer in charge said she knew more about my condition than my doctor who ordered the ambulance and arranged my admittance to hospital for treatment for pneumonia. I also have terminal lung cancer and have had a mastectomy. The officer walked from my bed to the roadside to get in the ambulance and said I didn't require any treatment to the nurse at hospital. At the hospital, I was put on a saline drip and was given medication. I later had 1.1 litres of fluid drained from my pleuro.

• I have no complaints with the ambulance service, they all treat me with respect. They are all caring people and helpful. I have come to know some of them as they have helped me on numerous occasions, which I am very grateful, also, transferred me from one hospital to the other, no problem at all. They all very good, especially the ones I have had come to help me, I've no worries, I just rang them and they are here in no time, excellent people.

Attachment 3 Comments by Station

Southern Branch

• I am very grateful for the excellent care given to me and on other occasions that I have used the ambulance in emergencies.

• Was upset when I found that he was by himself and that if another officer had have been with him, it would have been a "volunteer".

• I could not ask for better service. This is the 1st time I have used the ambulance in (Tasmania - Huonville) and found the service and the officers 1st _{class. Thank you. The officers were very professional and caring. Please}

pass on my gratitude.

• I waited 2 hours for ambulance but I had fallen and broken my shoulder bone and wasn't unduly distressed. The officers explained they had to contact staff and I felt I wasn't an extremely urgent case.

• I have always found them to be most concerning and obliging. • Overall very satisfied with service given.

• An excellent service for those without a hospital in rural areas. Most modern, speedy transportation an absolute necessity to transport people with life threatening injuries long distances - over 1 hour.

• Sorry, not very helpful, but was unconscious at time of transportation.

• I didn't need an ambulance just some 1st aid advice after I cut my knee with a chain saw. I drove to New Norfolk and was given assistance which was very reassuring. However had the lacerations been slightly deeper. I would have needed ambulance transport.

• The Sorell ambulance service was quick, friendly, courteous, respectful. They treated the patient on a number of occasion and we, the family, have nothing but praise for all the staff at Sorell.

• I found them very compassionate and caring towards the patient and family. I have high regard for the ambulance staff. I appreciate everything they did for us. Please accept this as our grateful thanks.

• Keep up the very good work. You should all congratulate on the dedicated work you all do. Thank you all very much for all the help over the years from one very happy and satisfied patient.

• Very prompt, thorough visit was made to us. The volunteer was especially friendly and calming.

• I am the patient wife, I cannot express the way they treated my husband, I cannot thank them enough. With many thanks.

• I found your staff to be gentle and courteous.

• It took the ambulance about 10 mins within. Very happy with the officers explanation and caring of my son. • Too long.

• I think that both the paramedic and driver were very polite and thoughtful. I felt that I was in very good hands, thank you.

• No problem.

• Always been excellent. Once was a long time to get to house. • Very good service.

• As quickness is a consideration in my case, I am extremely happy. I have allergic problems. • I was very satisfied with the treatment I received the ambulance officers do an excellent job.

• As a first time user of the ambulance service, I was very satisfied with the help I received from the officers at the time of need.

• I don't think you can get a better service when they arrive as I have been taken to HP a lot in the last 4 years with heart problems.

• Only twice in my life have I had to call an ambulance. Both in the past 6 months. I found your officers

professional, caring, highly capable if my life depended on them I know I would be in good hands. (I hope their pay / salaries reward them for their commitment).

• Thank God for our ambo.

• So grateful for help from ambulance drivers, it is so reassuring to know we have their help in times of need. • I found the ambulance officer that dealt with my case calmed me down and made the experience less traumatic. • I could not have been treated any better than the ambulance service gave me and my wife. The ambo driver and

officer, we could not have asked to better chapes, they both have a lot of compassion, we can not express our gratefulness enough.

Northern Branch

• Our responses are influenced by the extremely competent paramedic (who arrived soon after the ambulance0 and who led and instructed the ambulance team. Their team work was very good. Given our location the response could not have been quicker. I'm wondering if some sort and flag could help say on letter box or gate. I ran back and forward from patient to gate - 200 m. I met returning ambo in Fingal Valley as I headed to LGH. They briefly gave me update.

• The times that the ambulance came to the home, the medics have been wonderful and knew what had to be done. My son got on well with the two that helped him. Many thanks to these ones.

• They are trained to the best, excellent. I don't know what would happen to people’s lives if they weren't around! P.S. Tremendous work guys, fantastic. There are no other words that could explain it. Thank you very, very, very much. Well done.

• The ambulance officers were wonderful and did everything possible to make my journey to the hospital very comfortable. Thank you again.

• The ambulance service was very good. There wasn't anything they could have done as my husband was already dead. They were very efficient.

• They were friendly and kind. They all do a great job!

• I was very impressed overall with the services provided with the ambulance service from the time my partner rang 000 till the time the ambulance officers arrived. I was treated with the upmost respect and care. Well done and thank you for your excellent service.

• Over a number of years, I have had cause to use this wonderful service a number of times and I can't speak highly enough of the quality and kindness show me. Also I have used the R.F.D.S. to Hobart twice they to where a wonderful service.

• As my first ambulance experience, I was very pleased with the girls (ex Campbell Town). • Listen to instructions on where we live and how to get there.

• Holidaying at Green's Beach - ambulance called by Exeter Medical Centre. Service excellent.

• The ambulance driver was very rude!! He refused to take my daughter to the hospital. He stated that there were sicker people up there than HER!!! When in fact, she was one of the sickest. I took my daughter to the LGH by car. It was an experience I would not like to repeat! The last 5 or 6 times that I have rang the ambulance, the same person has turned up and each time he has refused to take anyone to the LGH. He does not even check you over!! He wouldn't have a clue what was wrong. I am now too scared to call the ambulance. • A very important service. We cannot survive without. Thanks to the officers I am still on the land of the living. • I have been highly satisfied with the service. The ride to LGH should improve once the road work have finished.

Thank you all for offering a great service.

• Considering the distance, we were happy with the time it took to arrive. The ambulance officer was wonderful! Although I was surprised at the lack of smoothness in the ride. Overall I am glad that we have such a good ambulance service.

• Thank you all the ambulance officers, they treated my dad with all the dignity they could muster. I was so pleased and satisfied.

• I broke my hip and the officers made me feel I was in good hand. Thank you. Also volunteer ambulance men do a wonderful job. Thanks for everything even though I hope I don't need your help again.

• Very professional and caring.

• There is one senior driver in Deloraine, who when the doctor had instructed my wife to be taken to Launceston Hospital then rang the doctor and had her transferred to Deloraine Hospital. Why?

• Wrote a complaint letter regarding our experiences, follow-up was done by phone with nothing in writing. Had expected a written response - maybe because we emailed instead of mailing?

North West Branch

• Since using the ambulance, my husband was transferred to Hobart yesterday and could not speak highly enough of his treatment and care of the staff on the local service and his transfer to the RAH from Burnie hospital. Keep up the good work and thank you.

• Very satisfied with the service and very kind and understanding ambulance officers. Thank you.

Attachment 3 Comments by Station • Our son was airlifted out of the West Coast. With a head injury, the Tasmanian Ambulance Service did an

excellent job looking after our son. Thank you. As we were not with our son at the time of his accident but knew of his injury, it took a long time to find out where he was going Hobart or Burnie but still a top job. Thanks again.

• The ambulance people were young and very kind. • Very very good.

• As a sufferer as what is termed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for some 13 years, I have had to avail myself of attention by the TAB. Service has generally been excellent: paramedics and volunteers.