New ambulance station delivering better care for Torres Strait

Hard working ambulance officers serving the Torres Strait welcome a new multi-million-dollar ambulance station.

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles visited the recently upgraded Thursday Island Ambulance Station today and met with Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) officers stationed there.

“The Palaszczuk Government recognised the need for a new QAS facility on Thursday Island as paramedics had been working from a converted residential dwelling for many years,” Ms Lui said.

“The new $2.8 million station was completed and became operational earlier this year and it’s great to see how this significant investment is already benefiting the local community, as it ensures they are receiving the highest level of care, even in the further most parts of Queensland.

“Thursday Island Ambulance Station is one of the busiest in the Torres and Cape Local Ambulance Service Network and services an area which includes the entire Torres Strait, as well as the Northern Peninsula.

“Offices from the station enacted 930 responses last financial year and more than 220 so far this year.”

“Currently an Officer-in-Charge, four paramedics and two Indigenous Paramedic Cadets operate from the station and respond to cases on more than a dozen inhabited islands in the region.

Mr Miles said the highly skilled staff were crucial to the community.

“They are a multi-skilled bunch who are all flight trained for the rescue helicopter and in the event of a search and rescue incident can respond as far south as Weipa,” Mr Miles said.

“All of the officers based here are helping build the foundations for the future of emergency and pre-hospital care in the region, particularly the Indigenous Paramedic Cadets.”

QAS Commissioner Russell Bowles said providing a comfortable working environment with the latest facilities and technology for QAS staff was a priority.

“The new station includes office space for the Officer-in-Charge and field officer, a training and write up room for paramedics and cadets, a day room, recharge area, kitchen and staff amenities as well as a three bay plant room with storage for patient care supplies and general stores, and vehicle wash down bay,” Mr Bowles said.

“Improved separate relief quarters which includes two bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge and laundry facilities were also part of the fit-out.”

ENDS

Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/93u4wxvbohq8aok/AABMOkf1kLBd2ptc1xy_zfula?dl=0

First photo - back row (left to right): Warren Martin, Sean Hayes, Nicholas Stavar, Majella Filewood. Front row (left to right): Deidree Whap, Cynthia Lui, Steven Miles