NEW PARAMEDICS FAST TRACKED TO SAVE MORE LIVES IN MANNINGHAM

The Andrews Labor Government has fast tracked two new paramedic teams in Manningham and new vehicles as part of its record $500 million plan to cut ambulance response times and employ 450 new paramedics across the state.

Minister for Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy announced two new peak period ambulance services for Melbourne’s outer east, to hit the road on June 5.

One of the new ambulance vehicles will be temporarily based in East Ringwood and then relocated to the new branch which is scheduled for construction by the end of 2018.

It will be staffed by a team equivalent to seven extra full-time paramedics.

A new purpose-built branch will feature a drive in-and-out garage bay for vehicles, rest and recline areas, training rooms, bedrooms, modern amenities and fully-fitted out kitchen.

The other new ambulance will be based in an existing ambulance branch in Boronia and then relocate to a new branch which is scheduled for construction by the end of 2018.

It will be staffed by a team equivalent to 14 extra full-time paramedics.

It means that paramedics have the extra resources they need to respond even faster to life-threatening medical emergencies and save more lives.

The Andrews Labor Government is rebuilding our ambulance system after four years of crisis and neglect under the Liberals with the biggest ever investment in Victoria’s ambulance services.

Our record $500 million funding boost comes on top of the $144 million provided in the Victorian Budget 2016/17.

And the Victorian Budget 2017/18 budget provided a further $26.5 million for our ambulance services, so Victorians will receive faster and better emergency care, wherever they are.

After two years of investing in and reforming the ambulance system, more and more ambulances are arriving at emergencies sooner, with ambulance response times now the best in seven years.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy

“We have ended the ambulance crisis. Templestowe families can have peace of mind that paramedics are now responding even faster to medical emergencies.”

“In an emergency, every second counts. That’s why we fast-tracked these new resources to get more paramedics and ambulances on the road, and save more lives.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan Shaun Leane

“The extra resources in Melbourne’s outer east will make a huge difference, allowing paramedics to respond quicker. That means more locals will get the life-saving care they need, when they need it.”