Collinsville resident Tracy Brunker says town is at risk with just one paramedic on call

When a mining town resident called triple-0 for her ill mother, she learned there was only one paramedic on call at a time. The rostering has been labelled inadequate resourcing but a QAS leader says the rural locality is properly protected.

Tracy Brunker has lived in Collinsville for 55 years and she says the town is on edge these days with just one paramedic on call.

“Years ago, we had six (paramedics) living in Collinsville and working,” she said.

“We’d have two on shift at a time.

“It’s quite scary because they (the paramedics) have to cover such a wide area.

“If they go to an accident out of town, we don’t have a paramedic in town.”

Mrs Brunker realised only one paramedic was rostered on at any one time when she dialled triple-0 after her mother fell ill.

“It was just lucky my husband was there to help him (the paramedic),” she said.

“To lift mum onto the trolley and get her out of the house.”

Mrs Brunker said the paramedic looked “tired” but she said he was “fantastic” and did not complain.

Collinsville, a town of more than 1000 residents in the northern Bowen Basin, acts as a way station and service hub for a string of nearby coal mines, including the Sonoma and Newlands mines.

Its QAS deployment includes two full-time staffers who rotate shifts in town.

Burdekin MP Dale Last says the emergency service resources deployed to Collinsville are inadequate.

“Six months ago we were told that one QAS staff member was adequate but, just as it was then, that is clearly not the case,” he said.

“The fact is that the nearest back-up is 100km away from Collinsville and that physical distance puts lives at risk.

“Collinsville is a mining town that contributes billions to the state economy.

“In return for those billions of dollars, the state Labor government leaves the town without sufficient emergency medical care.”

Acting director for Mackay ambulance district Loretta Johnson said the resources committed to Collinsville were in line with demand.

“A single advanced care paramedic officer response is the response ratio for Collinsville because of the demand for ambulance services in that area and community,” she said.

“Based on incident growth and demand, a single officer advanced care paramedic officer provides sufficient coverage to that community and broader area.”

Ms Johnson said substantial back-up services were available to the town.

“Bowen ambulance service is a 24/7 two-officer response that is able to provide resources and back-up to Collinsville should it be required,” she said.

“Collinsville has access to CQ Rescue helicopter services.

“We also have volunteer drivers that are able to assist if needed.”

Ms Johnson said Collinsville was properly resourced.

“Collinsville is very well staffed with two permanent officers that do reside in the community which builds community trust,” she said.

“That is particularly important in rural and remote communities.”

Ms Johnson also said senior management offered Collinsville’s paramedics fatigue management support.

Originally published as Collinsville resident Tracy Brunker says town is at risk with just one paramedic on call