The Newcastle community is already benefitting from a temporary ambulance site which opened at Sandgate recently to support additional NSW Ambulance staff starting work in the Hunter region.
As part of the $1.76 billion Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) program, the Hunter region has received a boost of 62 additional paramedics. This includes twelve paramedics who will work out of the temporary site at Sandgate while planning and delivery of a new ambulance station at Gateshead is completed.
These 12 additional paramedics for the Hunter started on the road in Newcastle last week after consultation with staff and unions. Consultation is underway regarding further paramedics planned for the Hunter.
NSW Ambulance utilises temporary facilities to create additional capacity while construction of a new ambulance station or a major refurbishment of a pre-existing ambulance station is underway.
The NSW Government’s $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program is boosting frontline emergency care with 30 additional ambulance stations and supporting infrastructure across Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Hunter and Wollongong. This includes new ambulance stations for the communities of Swansea, Gateshead, Edgeworth, Branxton and East Maitland.
The SWIFT program is delivering 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas, to boost emergency and mobile healthcare for our metropolitan and regional communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
“The NSW Government is continuing its investment into frontline emergency health care for the Hunter with more paramedics on the road as well as new ambulance stations.
“This temporary site at Sandgate will further enhance care for the Newcastle community, providing a place for paramedics to start and finish their shifts while work is underway to develop new ambulance stations across greater Newcastle.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:
“The additional paramedics at the temporary Sandgate site is a really important investment we’re making to ensure high quality health care is accessible to people right across Newcastle.
“The broader Hunter community is also set to benefit with planning underway for stations in Gateshead, Swansea, Edgeworth, Branxton and East Maitland.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp:
“I’m really pleased to announce the Minns Labor Government’s latest investment into emergency health care for our growing community in Newcastle.
“This investment in the Hunter region demonstrates our commitment to strengthening emergency care for local communities, and I thank our paramedics and staff for their dedication to providing high-quality care across the region.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:
“This temporary facility at Sandgate is further proof of NSW Ambulance’s evidence based, effective and efficient service planning in delivering ambulance resources when and where they are needed most.
“These additional paramedics, working out of Sandgate, are further supporting NSW Ambulance to deliver optimal health outcomes for communities right across the Hunter region.”