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First Of 450 New Paramedics To Hit The Road

22 January 2017

The first group of new paramedics recruited under the Andrews Labor Government’s $500 million plan to improve ambulance response times will hit the road next month.

Minister for Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy this morning welcomed 48 new paramedics who started Ambulance Victoria’s three-week induction training program today.

Of today’s inductees, about 56 per cent are female, 45 are university graduates and three are new Ambulance Community Officers.

The Labor Government’s record funding boost – the biggest ever investment in ambulance services – will employ 450 more paramedics, buy new vehicles and build new ambulance stations across the state.

The first 48 of these new paramedics are now undergoing induction training which includes an orientation into Ambulance Victoria, guest speakers, clinical lessons and driving lessons.

They will hit the road and start responding to life threatening medical emergencies across Victoria from 13 February.

Once finished their induction, 27 will be based in the Eastern Metropolitan Region, 10 in the Western Metropolitan Region, two in the Barwon South West region, five in the Hume Region and four in the Loddon Region.

Our $500 million package includes recruiting 450 paramedics over three years, establishing six new super response centres, building 15 new and upgraded stations and creating 12 new services in rural and remote towns.

As part of this, $50 million will go towards improving emergency departments so patients can be treated and admitted quicker, freeing up ambulances to get back on the road sooner.

The Labor Government has been working hard to fix Victoria’s ambulance system after four years of crisis and neglect under the Liberals.

This record funding boost comes on top of the $144 million provided in the Victorian Budget 2016/17.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy

“This is the biggest investment in Victoria’s history to cut ambulance response times and employ more paramedics to save more lives.”

“I wish today’s newest paramedics long and rewarding careers making a real difference to the lives of Victorians.”

“With more paramedics on the road, ambulances will be able to respond even more quickly meaning families can have confidence that in an emergency, they will get the care they need, when they need it.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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