Two new hi-tech ambo’s coming to Central Australian remote communities

Two Red Centre communities are getting new hi-tech ambulances to add to their fleet – and they’re set to be an impressive upgrade from the troopy ambulances currently in use. Find out more.

Gwoja MLA Chansey Paech and health workers with the 4wd Toyota Hiace ambulance.

Two Red Centre remote communities are getting an ambulance upgrade – which the health minister says will support health workers due to their “high tech features.”

Health Minister Selena Uibo announced Anmatjere/Ti Tree and Ntaria/Hermannsburg were each set to receive a new 4WD Toyota Hiace ambulance which will be used in addition to their existing Toyota LandCruiser troopy ambulances.
Ms Uibo said the new Hiace ambulances would have rear air conditioning, two rear seats, more space and a battery-powered hydraulic stretcher to help the NT Health staff safely load and unload patients.

Working in conjunction with ST John NT and the NT Health, the new ambulances will be used for emergency road evacuations and to transfer patients between the Red Centre towns and Alice Springs.

Both Ti Tree and Hermannsburg/Ntaria got an upgraded Toyota Hiace Ambulance on May 9, 2024, which replaced the Toyota Troopcarrier ambulances.

“Supporting emergency response in Central Australian remote communities means better patient care closer to home for Territorians – this is why we are investing over $400,000 in emergency response for Ntaria and Anmatjere,” Ms Uibo said.

The two new ambulances cost $410,000, with the powered stretchers supplied and installed by NT-based business Keep Moving.

Ms Uibo said NT Health staff would be trained in how to use the new stretchers, which will allow the staff to “load patients into the ambulance with the touch of a button”.

“Every Territorian deserves high quality health care, especially in times of emergency,” Ms Uibo said.

Gwoja MLA Chansey Paech examining the battery powered hydraulic lift system in the ambulances.

Previously, health staff had to manually load and unload patients into the troopy ambulances.

The new Hiace ambulances also have more rear space which will allow for more space for acute care procedures, alongside extra seating for retrievals teams, staff, or guardians.

Gwoja MLA Chansey Paech said it was important that all Territorians had access to modern emergency services regardless of where they lived.

“These ambulance upgrades mean Territorians in Ntaria and Anmatjere will (have) better emergency response capacity with modern features for better health care outcomes,” he said.

“We are providing emergency services to all Territorians in remote communities and ensuring people can access high quality care closer to home.”