200 more paramedics for Queensland

The State budget announced today includes a record $885.7 million for the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) – including hiring 200 more paramedics.

Ambulance Services Minister Steven Miles said the Palaszczuk Government was hiring more paramedics and buying more trucks.

“Our record $885.7 million QAS budget is a funding boost of $85.4 million – an increase of 10.7 per cent on last year,” Minister Miles said.

“This funding means our hardworking paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers and patient transport officers have the equipment, training and resources required to continue to meet the increasing demand for services.”

Minister Miles said the Palaszczuk Government would hire more frontline staff. 

“We will hire an additional 200 ambulance personnel state-wide to ensure QAS continues to help Queenslanders in their time of need,” he said.

“The budget also includes funding for 122 new and replacement Ambulance vehicles, so our officers have the best trucks to respond to emergencies.

“This includes the continued rollout of power-assisted stretchers which improve patient and officer safety by reducing the strain on paramedics and help to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries.”

Minister Miles said the government was building more and better Ambulance Stations across the state.

“This budget includes $55.7 million in capital infrastructure to build new stations and upgrade existing stations,” he said.

This includes $10 million for:

• construction and planning phases of ambulance stations at Urraween, Yarrabilba and a new station and Local Ambulance Service Network office at Drayton;
• continuation of the planning and construction phases for the replacement of ambulance stations at Kirwan and Mareeba, the redevelopment of the Cairns Ambulance Station and Operations Centre, the Southport Ambulance Station and Gold Coast Operations Centre, and the refurbishment of the Rockhampton Ambulance Station; and
• planning will also commence for a new station at Munruben.

Minister Miles said the capital budget also includes a $5 million investment in minor works at various existing stations to improve functionality and amenities.

“The hardworking QAS staff work tirelessly to provide emergency care to Queenslanders.

“They do a tremendous job of looking after the health and wellbeing of

Queenslanders, and this budget shows the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to supporting our frontline workers and investing in world-class health care.”

ENDS

Media contact:               Katharine Wright – 0428 957 903