Do the aussies shorten everything by putting an 'o' on the end?

A MELBOURNE ambulance officer has quit after being accused of photographing a patient in a macabre joke minutes after he died.

The paramedic, who works with a private patient transport company, allegedly sent the image to friends.

The officer allegedly took the picture of the cancer patient on his mobile phone camera soon after his sudden death on a trip to a hospital for radiotherapy.

The employee, who has denied the claim, was then accused of transmitting it to others with an accompanying note bearing words to the effect: "Have a look at the day I'm having."

He was also alleged to have shown the image to colleagues from National Patient Transport.

It is believed the patient, aged about 40, became gravely ill near the Monash Freeway as he was being taken to Dandenong Hospital.

The Herald Sun believes a mobile intensive care ambulance crew was at the scene within minutes but nothing could be done to save him.

It is believed his family knows nothing of the claims.

The Herald Sun believes the employee, who denied the allegation, is now jobless.

He agreed to leave Mount Waverley-based NPT three weeks ago after a second investigation into the matter in March.

It is believed his hopes of a job with the Metropolitan Ambulance Service were scuttled when it became aware of the claims. The matter was not referred to police.

Sources have told the Herald Sun there are no phone records available to prove whether the picture was taken or transmitted.

NPT chief executive officer Ian Maytom said there was never any "substantial proof" of the claim, but that it was a factor in the officer leaving the company.

"Under the process of investigating it, the individual concerned resigned. If what has been alleged happened, as an organisation we are appalled," Mr Maytom said.

Victoria's Health Services Commissioner, Beth Wilson, said her office would investigate if a complaint was received.

She said such behaviour could be in breach of the Health Records Act and could lead to charges.

Ms Wilson said such an allegation, if true, was appalling.

"Privacy doesn't die with the person in Victoria," she said.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20285087-2,00.html