An external complaints body to address allegations of workplace bullying in the state’s emergency services is being recommended by a parliamentary inquiry.

The report found New South Wales Ambulance is seeing the highest rate of harassment of all government agencies, with 29% of paramedics reporting they’ve been bullied at work.

Australian Paramedics Association Secretary Steve Pearce agrees it isn’t a flash report card.

“We’re not at all surprised by these recommendations,” he tells Ben Fordham.

“There was a bunch of really courageous current paramedics that put in submissions in confidence because they were just so worried about being identified.”

It’s also been revealed managers within the state’s ambulance service are putting pressure on paramedics to come back to work, even after they’ve taken specific leave for post-traumatic stress.

Mr Pearce says the way things are isn’t acceptable.

“Things need to change and really change quickly.”

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