AMBULANCE stations in the Tamworth area are on a priority list for repair amid claims of unsatisfactory working conditions for local paramedics, it has been revealed.
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In response to claims by the Australian Paramedics Association, published in The Leader on Thursday, Ambulance NSW says budget funding would bring four more relief paramedics to the area as well as maintenance work.
This week union representatives called for urgent station and radio network upgrades and more vehicles, claiming they were missing out on vital resources. A NSW Ambulance statement said maintenance issues were dealt with ‘on a priority basis’.
“NSW Ambulance has commissioned a Buildings Condition Report for the 239 properties across NSW,” the statement said. “This report prioritises work as priorities one, two and three to determine the allocation of Repair, Maintenance and Refurbishment (RMR) funding on a priority basis and Tamworth is part of this maintenance.
“Local maintenance issues can be raised with the local management, and remediation undertaken at a local level on a priority basis.
“NSW Ambulance is also investing $36 million over two financial years to refresh its radio telecommunications infrastructure. Currently, NSW Ambulance is actively procuring new portable, in-vehicle and base station radios. In December 2016, NSW Ambulance completed a $9.25 million complete refresh of all Mobile Data Terminals and associated back end infrastructure in regional NSW.
“Further investments totalling $26.75m will be made before the end of the 2017/18 financial year.”
As part of a budget announcement of an additional 50 relief paramedics to assist in reducing fatigue in rural NSW, the ambulance body confirmed the New England area would receive four more relief paramedics.
“The NSW Government is committed to supporting our skilled and hardworking paramedics to continue delivering high-quality clinical care to the community,” the statement said.
