The Andrews Labor Government has delivered on an election commitment by providing two paramedics on each shift for the Inglewood community to respond to critical medical emergencies.
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green today announced the Inglewood ambulance station has transitioned to dual paramedic crews who will continue to work alongside volunteer Ambulance Community Officers (ACO).
With two paramedics rostered on 24 hours a day to respond to emergency calls, Inglewood residents now have better access to paramedics and their lifesaving skills than ever before.
ACOs will remain a critical part of the team, providing crucial back-up to paramedics, filling vacant shifts, transporting less-urgent patients to hospital, and responding to cases when paramedics are with another patient.
The volunteer ACOs also play an important role in community engagement, teaching CPR and defibrillation skills and encouraging locals to become GoodSAM responders.
GoodSAM is a life-saving smartphone app that connects Victorians in cardiac arrest with responders who can provide hands-only CPR and defibrillation (if available) in the first critical minutes before paramedics arrive.
This upgrade to Inglewood is part of the Labor Government’s investment to deliver two paramedics on shifts in 15 locations across regional Victoria.
Since 2020, ambulance services in Terang, Camperdown, Rochester, St Arnaud, Avoca and Beechworth have all been upgraded to dual paramedic crewing.
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green
“We’re ensuring Inglewood residents get the right emergency care quickly, when they need it, by providing the extra resources paramedics deserve.”
“Inglewood residents now have the peace of mind that two paramedics will be on each shift to respond to critical emergencies.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Martin Foley
“We’re making record investments in our paramedics, so they have the facilities and resources they need to continue to do what they best – save lives.”
Reviewed 21 February 2022