likewise, mixed emotions here.
Known him for a long time, and have worked with him on lots of projects. He has contributed a lot to the development of competent clinicians in a state where St Johns had managed to screw up a lot of things. He has also protected the Service from itself on occasions, by using his overriding medical authority to circumvent silly management initiatives. He was also a large part of the reason that the service got the level of professional pay rates that it did.
The downside is that we have sort of been overtaken and sidelined a little by the rest of the country and certainly the world in skills and practice that are passe elsewhere, but apparently heresay in SAAS, regardless of research, but based on his personal opinion. Hugh's desire to build an empire for SAAS Paramedics/ICPs and ECPs has come at a cost for parts of the community. Anyone dealing with the new First Aid in the Workplace Code of Conduct will be more than aware of this.
I can't help but feel that maybe with the re-structure and management shakeup that he has been sidelined, probably deliberately so, and I agree with Boredy, that the change has been coming for some time. Still, credit where it is due, Hugh has been committed to the service for a good number of years, and his education of most of the states paramedics is a more than worthy epitaph. Would that others could contribute so much for the greater good (regardless of the motive). The move to the Flinders seat is not surprising with the transferal of the ICP program there next year, although it's sort of an insider trading appointment I guess. I look forward to continuing to joust with him there
