Hunter paramedic Natasha Whiteley was overwhelmed with support after raising concerns about NSW Ambulance management forcing her to change hair colour. Login or signup to continue reading "It was amazing," said Ms Whiteley, an HSU (Health Services Union) delegate, of Medowie Ambulance Station. "Even my nan and pop, who I hadn't spoken to about the situation, called me.
" The news had spread to "other ambulance stations and paramedic colleagues on annual leave and overseas". "They've all been messaging me in support," she said. The Newcastle Herald reported on Thursday that colleagues would colour their hair to show solidarity with Ms Whiteley, who was disciplined for dyeing her hair red.
Ms Whiteley said management "forced me to change my hair colour to a more professional - in their words - natural colour". "I got an ultimatum of do not return to work unless your hair is a normal colour," she said. "I had to bleach my hair, which destroyed it, and I chopped it all off.
It's now really short." She felt like she had to "change my personal identity for the service". "I don't recognise myself in the mirror.
It's very hard to deal with, so seeing all the support from everyone is just overwhelming. "I really hope we get a chance to change the policy." Ms Whiteley had been a paramedic for three years, a nurse for 10 years and had five years of medical training.
Asked if changing her hair colour was a kind of therapy for the trauma she faced as a paramedic, she said "100 per cent". ".