BY IAN CROUCH.
The family of a Belmont paramedic who took his own life last month is calling for answers from the NSW Ambulance Service.
It’s emerged Tony Jenkins was already struggling with work-related stress and had documented numerous incidents to management about paramedics being sent to dangerous jobs without proper information or support – all to no avail.
Tony’s family believe the tipping point came when he was summoned to a meeting with senior management on the day he died to discuss his alleged use of the powerful painkiller, Fentanyl, which they claim had been taken from Hunter ambulance stations.
He was then dropped off alone by a senior Ambulance officer and died a short time later.
Toxicology results showed the 54-year-old had no traces of Fentanyl in his system when he died.
There were no notes or recordings of his meeting with Ambulance management, raising questions as to what was said at the time.
Tony’s daughter, Cidney told the ABC, he didn’t receive the support he needed from management.
“I think after 28 years of helping everybody else, when it came down to it, he did ask for help and he didn’t receive it and he deserved to receive it,” she said.
If you need to speak to someone, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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Tony Jenkins Picture: theherald.com.au |