The Wollongong community will soon have access to enhanced emergency health care, with construction of Fairy Meadow's new ambulance station now complete.
Keys to the new ambulance station have been handed over to NSW Ambulance paramedics and the new Ambulance station will become operational in the coming weeks.
The modern, purpose-built Ambulance station, which is co-located at the University of Wollongong's Innovation Campus, features internal parking bays including an internal wash bay, administration and office areas, staff rest facilities, gym, logistics and storage areas, and on-site parking.
An additional 25 paramedics have been recruited for the new Ambulance station and are already on the road, temporarily operating from other nearby stations.
The new Ambulance station is being delivered as part of the NSW Government's $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program. The RAIR program is delivering 54 new or upgraded ambulance stations and is the single largest infrastructure investment in regional NSW Ambulance's almost 130-year history.
The NSW Government is recruiting 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff as part of the Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) program, including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas, to boost emergency and mobile healthcare for our metropolitan and regional communities.
The $1.76 billion SWIFT program is also delivering 30 additional ambulance stations to help save lives and provide critical emergency care across NSW.
New Ambulance stations are also planned at Warilla and Unanderra to bolster the network of stations across the Illawarra as part of the NSW Government's $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“Once operational the new Fairy Meadow Ambulance station on Innovation Way will significantly enhance access to mobile emergency health care for the growing community across the Illawarra.
“The new Ambulance station will also provide paramedics with a high-quality base with the latest facilities and equipment to meet the current and future emergency care needs of the local community.
“The NSW Government is committed to investing in rural and regional health infrastructure to support better health outcomes for local communities."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:
“I'm pleased Fairy Meadow's first ambulance station is nearly complete and look forward to the day when paramedics move into this state-of-the-art facility and add to the local ambulance network.
“As Wollongong grows, it is important that we invest in health infrastructure to meet the needs of the local community."