03 June 2008

Funding boost for Ambulance Service of NSW

The Iemma Government is investing $340.5 million in the Ambulance Service of NSW in 2008-09, continuing its commitment to having the best ambulance service in Australia.

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said the 2008-09 Health Budget provided an additional $24.2 million for the Ambulance Service of NSW.

Ms Meagher said a key feature of the 2008-09 investment in ambulance services across the state is an additional $7.2 million to recruit an extra 75 new full-time staff across the Sydney metropolitan area.

“The Iemma Government’s continued investment in the Ambulance Service of NSW has seen the number of frontline ambulance staff increase by 13 per cent over the past four years, and this funding will further boost those staff numbers,” Ms Meagher said.

“This year’s budget provides funding for more paramedics, more ambulance vehicles and more resources to support our ambulance paramedics in delivering important emergency health services to the community.”

The 2008-09 Health Budget delivers $6.9 million for new capital works for the Ambulance Service of NSW, including $830,000 for the construction of new ambulance stations at Byron Bay and Batemans Bay.

An investment of $15.3 million will progress the redevelopment of a number of ambulance stations, including:

• $1.8 million for the Auburn Ambulance Station
• $1.8 million for the Liverpool Ambulance Station
• $1.6 million for the Ryde Ambulance Station
• $1.1 million for the Deniliquin Ambulance Station
• $900,000 for the Nelson Bay Ambulance Station.

Ms Meagher said the Ambulance Service of NSW has one of the youngest ambulance fleets in the world, with an average vehicle age of 18 months and no vehicle older than three years.

“Ambulance paramedics across NSW respond to a call for assistance every 30 seconds,” Ms Meagher said.

“The Iemma Government is committed to providing paramedics with a modern fleet of vehicles and the latest in technology to support their work.”

The 2008-09 Budget also includes:

• $6 million for ambulance fleet replacement
• $6 million for the introduction of the Electronic Patient Record program and upgrade of the Government Radio Network and the Private Radio Mobile Network, allowing paramedics to better communicate with hospitals for faster diagnosis and treatment
• $2 million to purchase new medical equipment and maintain existing equipment.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au