New Patient Transport Service vehicle for Cleveland

Residents in the Cleveland region have received a boost with the official hand over today of a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle for the Patient Transport Service.

Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell and Member for Cleveland Phil Weightman handed over the keys to the vehicle at the Cleveland ambulance station this morning.

Mr Purcell said the Patient Transport Service (PTS) – which provides non-emergency transport for members of the public to and from hospitals and medical facilities – was a vital service to the community.

“The Cleveland station alone managed 3244 PTS cases in the last financial year, including pick-ups and drop-offs at ferries to the bay islands.

“Ambulance officers have an important role and it’s essential they have the best equipment, facilities and training possible. The vehicle being handed over today is an example of that.”

Mr Weightman said that many residents in the Cleveland region were grateful for the work of PTS personnel.

“The PTS helps to reduce the burden on families and friends who would be otherwise helping to transport their loved ones. It also reduces the financial burden of transportation as the service is provided at no cost to the individual.

“PTS officers are the unsung heroes of the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS). This new vehicle will help to support the hard working ambulance officers in the local area, to ensure they have the resources to continue the great work they do every day”, Mr Weightman said.

Mr Purcell said the new vehicle was another example of the Beattie Government’s commitment to providing the people of Queensland with a world-class ambulance service.

“This year the Beattie Government committed a record $355.7 million to the QAS to put more vehicles on the road, and recruit and train more paramedics in the Cleveland region and across the state.”

Media contact: Daniel Landon 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976.