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Paramedics Fast-Tracked To Save Lives In Wyndham Vale

11 April 2017

The Andrews Labor Government has fast-tracked a new paramedic team in the Wyndham Vale area and a new vehicle as part of its record $500 million plan to cut ambulance response times and employ 450 new paramedics across Victoria.

Minister for Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy joined Member for Werribee Tim Pallas today to announce a new 24-hour ambulance service for the Manor Lakes branch staffed by a team equivalent to 14 extra full-time paramedics – one of 12 ambulance branches where new resources hit the road this week.

The new service will be based in Werribee until construction of a new branch is complete.

This new branch will operate in addition to the existing Werribee branch, and will include a drive in-and-out garage for vehicles, rest and recline areas, training rooms, bedrooms and fully-fitted out kitchen.

Other new teams will be based in Geelong, Mornington, Moe, Winchelsea, Melton, Swan Bay, Epping, Traralgon, Broadford, Craigieburn and Warragul. All new teams will get a new vehicle, including two new vehicles for Geelong.

This means an extra 127 full-time equivalent, highly-skilled paramedics are now trained-up and on the road – ready to respond to life-threatening medical emergencies and save more lives.

The Labor Government is rebuilding Victoria’s ambulance system after four years of crisis and neglect under the former Liberal Government, with the biggest ever investment in Victoria’s ambulance services.

The record $500 million funding boost comes on top of the $144 million provided in the Victorian Budget 2016/17.

After two years of investing in and reforming the ambulance system, more and more ambulances are arriving at emergencies sooner with Code 1 average response times the quickest they have been in five years.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy

Wyndham Vale families can have peace of mind that paramedics are now responding even faster to medical emergencies.”

“In an emergency, every second counts. That’s why we’ve fast-tracked these new resources to get more paramedics and ambulances on the road, and save more lives.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“The extra resources in Wyndham Vale will make a huge difference, allowing paramedics to respond quicker and save lives.”

“We’re planning for the future and acting now to ensure families in growing areas have the emergency services they need.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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