Actually someones listening. This is quite important and if your in the ambulance service, or possibly the police as its the same system, beware the new radio system that is being deployed. This is the national radio system being rolled out for the emergency services and is already in use in some areas, notably the police force where I work.I heard a rumour and got my union convener to check up on it. The rumour is correct. The new radio system has a facility whereby "authorised" members of the control staff can listen in on your conversations. I don't mean just the stuff that you may transmit to your colleague while on a job, I mean the private stuff you talk about in the cab - and you cant tell when this is being done. Get this --- even if you turn the personal unit off they can still listen in.
As a result both UNISON and the T&G here are pulling out of the consultation and advising staff to refuse to carry the new radios unless this feature is removed prior to roll-out. Typical ambulance service stuff this not just staff privacy but patient confidentiality being ignored.
I'd advise anyone who reads this to chase it up in your area. If its anything like the service here when you think you've hung up and start talking about how crap a particular controller is you'll get disciplined and possibly sacked, regardless of any assurances that are given.
Don't sign for the radio or carry it, if you do don't talk or ask the patient any questions. They have rights that are being breached. I'd also emphasise that your union reps should chase this one up as mine has. She's on the committee responsible for the roll out and heard this from me. She was socked that it was not being openly discussed and that rumour proved to be true.
Just something for you all to think about.
6 comments:
Control freaks!!
There's no better way of showing how crap communication is within the service than that!
Why not spend the money improving liasion (hate that word) between control, management and front line staff and deploy a more open management style instead of spying on people?
Is the system not an infringement of civil liberties anyway?
I was wondering how it works if the batteries are out?
Carmello, No idea. This is something the Tech people threw into the equation when they were quizzed. Cant help on that one, seems strange to me but guess strange things happen.
Anonymous, liberties infringed. Yip, I'd have to agree on that.
I'm quite appalled by this idea. It would be bad enough if it was people in offices being listened to when they weren't expecting it, but ambulance staff with vulnerable patients?
This isn't just a deviation from the road of common sense, its a gross infringement of your human rights and those of your patient.
I will look out for the first claims to the Employment Tribunals, then, with bated breath.....
As an HR professional, I believe your advice to be quite right, Mr McBain.
P.S. Carmelo - nice to see you!
lol Is this the airwave thing that the police have? If their experiences of patchy signal is anything to go by you'll be lucky to be able to get in contact with control when you actullay want to let alone when you don't.
Thinking about this, if you're sat in the cab and the base unit can't be turned off, that might work, or it might look "off" but was really on.
However, on the flip side I could see it be an advantage, if say a crew got in the shit over something or other, and couldn't get to contact control to scream "POLICE!" down the blower, control could have a listen in to see if everything is tickity boo.
But again patient confidentiality is blown out the window again...
Carmello, thats the thinking but when necessary WE should have a button to press.
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