HSU welcomes additional paramedics for regional New South Wales
The Health Services Union has welcomed the rollout of the second phase of extra paramedics for regional New South Wales.
An additional 125 paramedics will start working across the state over the coming months, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s promise to deliver 500 extra paramedics to the bush.
“We welcome the second stage of this rollout of more paramedics. Communities in the bush deserve the same level of care as the major centres and cities. This will help ensure they get that care,” Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes said.
“This is also about ensuring paramedics are supported in their jobs. Our paramedics are hard-working all-rounders that rural communities rely heavily on. More staff means better response times, and will help avoid burn-out,” Mr Hayes said.
The first tranche of paramedics started working last year, in locations including Dubbo, Orange, Wagga Wagga and Albury.
Consultations are also underway to get more paramedics to Tamworth, Moree, Young, Blayney, Deniliquin and Temora.
The 500 paramedics are being rolled out over a four year period, and are set to improve response times and patient outcomes in regional and rural communities.
“An extra 500 paramedics is a great start, but we would like to see Specialised Paramedics rolled out as part of this commitment. Sometimes, an ambulance service is all the community has if it’s remote, so we need highly skilled people in those areas,” Gerard Hayes said.
Specialised paramedics receive additional training to perform more complex medical treatment and care.
Media contact - Kathleen Ferguson - 0421 522 080
