When a Macquarie Fields ambulance station paramedic responds to a call in another area it means a reduction in the resources available for local residents.
“It’s the way the system operates and it has been like that for 10 years,’’ says local Health Services Union delegate Matt Anderson.
He explains that if a Macquarie Fields resident needed an ambulance and no local ones were available it would come from another station.
“Which could compromise the risk factor in that situation,’’ says Mr Anderson.
“All we want is enough resources to be able to be always available for the people of this local area.’’
Local MP Anoulack Chanthivong has now taken up the cause of the Macquarie Fields paramedics following a meeting yesterday at the station with them and Mr Anderson.
Mr Chanthivong says lives will be at risk if the State Liberal Government fails to increase the number of paramedics at Macquarie Fields ambulance station after more than 10 years of a staffing freeze.
“Alarmingly, rostered shifts in the area are often left empty to fill gaps at new ambulance superstations,’’ said the Labor MP.
He said there were also fears that the Macquarie Fields ambulance station could be downgraded.
“No change to paramedic numbers at Macquarie Fields Station in 10 years, yet the Liberal Government continues to dump on my electorate unprecedented growth, higher densities and out of control development,’’ he said.
“This is completely unacceptable in one of the fastest growing areas of Sydney.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Saving lives is not negotiable.’’[/social_quote]
Mr Chanthivong has expressed his concerns in a letter to health minister Brad Hazzard.
In his letter, Mr Chanthivong calls for an urgent increase in the number of paramedics at Macquarie Fields ambulance station as part of the Government’s rollout of 700 new paramedics in NSW over the next four years.
“How many of the 700 new paramedics for NSW Ambulance will be stationed at Macquarie Fields,’’ he said.
“With our community continuing to grow, the Macquarie Fields ambulance station requires more staff and resources – not less.
“Paramedics at Macquarie Fields ambulance station must be made a priority.’’
