Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson will continue to advocate for more paramedics for the Clarence despite NSW Ambulance informing him that we will receive no additional local paramedics in the latest rollout.
Last month the Minns NSW Government announced regional areas in NSW will get 500 new paramedics under a plan to strengthen the NSW Ambulance workforce, with the first cohort of 125 paramedics already undergoing training in preparation for deployment mid this year.
When it was discovered that both Ballina and Lismore ambulance stations were slated to get some of the new paramedics, the CV Independent asked Mr Williamson if any of the 500 paramedics will be deployed to Clarence ambulance stations.
Mr Williamson discussed the issue with NSW Health Minister Ryan Park and last week he received this written response from the minister stating none of the 500 paramedics will be stationed at Clarence ambulance stations.
Despite this response, Mr Williamson assured the CV Independent he will continue to advocate for more paramedics and improved health services in Clarence.
“NSW Ambulance has completed service demand and workforce planning to determine proposed locations for the additional resources across a 4-year program,” a government spokesperson said.
“I am advised that the ambulance stations in Clarence were not identified as priority locations for the Year 1 rollout of 500 regional paramedics, relative to other locations.
“Please be assured that the Clarence community is serviced by the Northern NSW Zone.”
Mr Williamson said the former Liberal Nationals state government had built new ambulance stations in his electorate at Iluka, Evans Head and Casino, with 12 new paramedics starting at Iluka in March 2022.
“In June 2018, NSW Ambulance received funding for 700 additional paramedics over four years under the Statewide Workforce Enforcement Program (SWEP),” the spokesperson said.
“As part of SWEP, the Northern NSW Zone benefited from an enhancement of 63 paramedics.”
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 14 February 2024.
