Paramedics stand defiant against ambulance station proposal
THE Australian Paramedics Association (APA) says it will fight tooth and nail against the possible closure of ambulance stations in the Macarthur region and across the state.
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THE Australian Paramedics Association (APA) says it will fight tooth and nail against the possible closure of ambulance stations in the Macarthur region and across the state.
The association has come out strongly opposed to the State Government’s plans to create nine ambulance ‘superstations’ across NSW.
The superstations will be supported by smaller standby stations called Paramedic Response Points (PRPs) but it is unclear if the region’s four stations will be included among them.
The four local stations in the area are at Macquarie Fields, Campbelltown, Camden and Picton.
APA NSW industrial organiser Tilak Nabi said the proposal could be detrimental for residents.
“In areas where the station is to be closed it can certainly be a question of life and death for people,” he said. “The new model hasn’t been demonstrated to work and we have no reason to believe it will in Sydney.
“Response times are likely to increase for areas that are to lose stations.”
A decision on the PRPs is expected to be announced in the coming months.
Mr Nabi said it wasn’t just response times which would suffer as a result of the plans.
“Not only will having paramedics based at local stations mean they know the roads, they also know the community they respond to,” he said. “As an example, people suffering mental illness are more likely to be manageable if it is someone they have encountered before.”
Mr Nabi recommended concerned residents speak to their MPs.
Editor’s comment: Boom area must not be ignored
Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren said he was “outraged” at the possible closure of local stations.
“We saw it with our motor registries and now we’re potentially seeing it with vital emergency services,” he said.
“I will fight through every avenue and in any way I can to retain our local stations.
“What we need is more services, not less. If there is any intention to remove an ambulance station or not have a large service in the Macarthur region, it will be just another example of how out of touch this government is.”
The plan is part of the government’s $150 million Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy.
NSW Ambulance business, innovation and planning executive director Julie Morgan said she disagreed with the APA’s belief that the plan will see increased response times.
“The new model has been designed to reduce the likelihood of lengthy responses,” she said.
“The public can be assured that NSW Ambulance is confident the final PRP locations identified will ensure that paramedics and NSW Ambulance resources are located exactly where they need to be to best support patients now and into the future.”
The Macarthur Chronicle is seeking clarification on the strategy’s impact on local stations.
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