RFDS Staff Now Better Protected

Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) staff within South Australia will now be better protected, following the passing of legislation into State Parliament, introduced by Member for Stuart Dan van Holst Pellekaan.

The Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Bill will force a person to take a blood test if it is reasonably suspected they have assaulted an RFDS worker, and there is a risk of the transmission of an infectious disease.

“RFDS workers deserve the same level of protection that is already available to other emergency services workers such as police, ambulance, fire fighters, doctors, nurses and prison guards,” Dan van Holst Pellekaan said.

“This particular legislation will ease concerns of individual RFDS staff that they may have been infected in the course of their duty.

“It is critical that RFDS staff know as soon as possible if they have been infected in the course of their duties.

“I welcome the State Government’s support of my straightforward but very important Bill and related amendments to Regulations.

“I urge the State Government to amend the regulations providing these protections as soon as possible.

“RFDS put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public and we must do our job to protect them,” he said.

Image Source - Hossen27