New ambulance vehicle rolls out of Mackay Ambulance Station in frontline boost

Mackay residents in need of emergency pre-hospital care are set to be better serviced with the addition of a new Mercedes Sprinter ambulance vehicle. 

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the state-of-the-art vehicle would provide first class healthcare to the community.

“It is vital our officers have access to the resources and equipment they need to conduct their jobs safely and effectively,” Minister Miles said.

“To achieve this goal, the $235,000 vehicle includes a number of practical features that will assist paramedics during a wide-range of daily operational duties.

“The introduction of this new ambulance on the road will only extend the efficiency and professionalism currently exhibited by our frontline staff at Mackay Ambulance Station who provide approximately 14,000 responses per year.”

Minister Miles said the vehicle had undergone extensive conversion in consultation with paramedics and was a highly effective platform to provide emergency pre‑hospital care to the sick and injured.

“One of the key features is the power-assisted stretcher, which has been proven to reduce the rate of manual-handling injuries that paramedics suffer during their shifts,” Minister Miles said.

“In addition to the Stryker power-assisted stretcher which can carry patients up to 318 kg, the vehicle is equipped with a Stryker stair chair to safely support patients weighing up to 228 kg.

“Being able to raise and lower patients at the touch of a button will protect our paramedics from potential lifting and carrying injuries."

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the vehicle contained significant safety features not commonly available in standard vans within Australia.

“We are extremely lucky to have access to such well skilled professional paramedics and first class facilities in Mackay,” Mrs Gilbert said.

“We certainly have our fair share of emergencies in this region - we only have to look back a little over a year ago to Cyclone Debbie to see how emergencies can affect the community.

“We know this vehicle will contribute to better outcomes for patients and I’m extremely pleased this is now on the road helping respond to incidents in Mackay.”

ENDS

Media contact: Amy Hunter - 0423 651 484