Coalition’s rollout of 340 new ambulance staff on track
The Victorian Coalition Government is on track to deliver on its $151 million commitment to boosting ambulance services, with 143 extra ambulance staff already on the road.
Minister for Health David Davis today announced that 113 new paramedics had been deployed to ambulance stations across Victoria, as well as all 30 patient transport officers.
"The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to ensuring all Victorians have access to the highest quality ambulance service delivering timely responses during emergencies," Mr Davis said.
"We are delivering on our $151 million election commitment to employing 310 additional paramedics and 30 patient transport officers over five years.
"I am extremely proud that we have already fulfilled our promise for 30 patient transport officers, with new Non-Emergency Patient Transport crews now working in Geelong, Wonthaggi, Morwell, Ballarat, Wodonga, Seymour and Bendigo.
"New highly-trained MICA units are also up and running in Warrnambool, Wonthaggi, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Wodonga and Mildura.
"Other ambulance services in locations including Maffra, Grantville, Alexandra, Lyndhurst, Cowes and Belgrave have been boosted with upgrades to ensure paramedics are rostered on 24 hours a day."
Mr Davis said of the 113 new paramedics, 95 have been deployed to ambulance stations in rural Victoria.
"I am working with Ambulance Victoria to deliver the election commitment supporting the allocation of new paramedics to areas of the state with the greatest need," Mr Davis said.
"This will be the biggest single increase in additional staffing for the ambulance service in the state's history."
Mr Davis said the additional 30 patient transport officers across regional Victoria will relieve pressure on paramedics so that they are available to respond to life threatening emergencies.
Patient transport officers provide non-emergency patient transport (NEPT) services. NEPT crews undertake the non-emergency transfer of patients, typically between hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers, which in rural areas frees up emergency ambulance crews.
For further information about the locations of new paramedics and patient transport officers, please visit the Ambulance Victoria website: http://bit.ly/PKWfKE
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