Staff spotlight – Harvey Milburn

Introduction

We spoke to Harvey Milburn, who was referred to us by Scott King, one of our paramedics.

Harvey is a CPA Group Paramedic based at Gregory Crinum mine and when we spoke he was on the first day of a new rotation of 7 days.

What is your professional background?

I joined the NHS in the UK as an ambulance technician (similar to a trainee paramedic position here) in 1990 and finished my training with the NHS Ambulance service. 2 years as an ambulance technician and then passed an entry exam to commence training as a paramedic.

After passing the theory, practical and hospital placements I commenced as a paramedic and worked for 18 years with the NHS.

I saw an ad for a paramedic with QAS in 2007 and I moved here with my family, and worked with QAS for around 4 years, based in Brisbane.

My first role in the private sector was based in PNG and from there I worked at Christmas Island for DIAC.

Where are you working now?

I joined CPA in 2020 as a casual based at Gregory Crinum mine site where I am today.

What other CPA Group sites have you worked?

This is my first CPA site, but I have worked at a couple of sites in PNG, Port Hedland and of course Christmas Island.

What are your primary responsibilities?

Provision of paramedic cover to the mine site, D&A testing, Health topics at pre-starts.

What do you find most challenging or fulfilling in your role?

Challenging, working as a single responder on a 24/7 basis supported by volunteer ERT personnel. They can do basic monitoring; we are becoming more integrated with the ERT team. We are have started taking the site ambulance to their training days so they are familiar with equipment and can be of more assistance in an emergency. That can be very fulfilling.

I had a case recently late one night – he was complaining of a headache – I ultimately discovered he was an undiagnosed diabetic. He was sent to hospital, when he returned to site after 6 weeks, he approached me to really thank me, he looked great and said he felt like a new person. It is not often you get thanks in this line of work so that was very much appreciated.

And what do you do in your spare time?

I have an 11-year-old son who keeps me busy, we go bushwalking a lot as there are some great walks near home.

I am a big fan of motor sport. I worked as a medic at various Motor sport tracks like Silverstone, Santa Pod, Rockingham motor speedway in the UK. I also provided medical cover to the testing program with Renault Formula 1.

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What would your manager say?

I speak to Matt Sinclair regularly; he is a good manager and listens to people. In my experience if he says he will do something he will, not forgetting the rest of the team as well who are always there to help.

Manager comment

Harvey has been with us for nearly a year, within his time with the company he has demonstrated his professionalism, enthusiasm and knowledge within the role. With some significant changes undertaken at site recently, Harvey has adapted and stepped up in being a pivotal piece to ensure a smooth deliverable to the client. His passion for the role radiates through his daily work and with the team.