Minister Launches Ambulance Week (10-16 Sept)

Minister Launches Ambulance Week (10-16 Sept)

Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts officially launched Ambulance Week at a special awards ceremony in Brisbane today.

Minister Roberts said that over the coming week there will be celebrations in recognition of the outstanding work done by paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) staff and volunteers across the state.

“People living in communities right across Queensland quite rightly view our paramedics as local heroes,” said Mr Roberts.

“With a patient satisfaction rating of 97% it’s little wonder paramedics are considered the most trusted profession in our community.

“Not only do they provide life saving emergency pre-hospital care, they also bring help and comfort to people at their most vulnerable and distressed as part of their every day job,” he said.

Mr Roberts said that across Queensland ambulance stations will be opening their doors to the public with open days, functions, displays and demonstrations.

“Later today the QAS will attempt a world record attempt for the most people to perform CPR at the one time as part of the CPR Challenge,” he said.

“This is a statewide event with a very important message: everyone can help make their local community safer by knowing this life saving skill.

“Ambulance Week is one big invitation to Queenslanders to get involved in improving community safety – whether that’s attending a first aid or CPR course, finding out about the best use of triple zero, or taking advantage of the Baby Capsule Hire service.

“I encourage every Queenslander to accept this invitation where-ever they live,” he said.

Mr Roberts and QAS Commissioner Jim Higgins presented the following awards at today’s State Commissioner’s Star Care Award ceremony:

• Paramedic of the Year – Advanced Care Paramedic Sandi Barnett (Millaa Millaa)
• Young Heroes of the Year – 12-year-old Christy Brandt and Four-year-old Sasha Hartman
• Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the Year – Julie Ann Hodgson (Rockhampton)
• Patient Transport Officer of the Year – Paul Schultz (Maryborough)
• Local Ambulance Committee Achiever of the Year – Margaret Benson (Rockhampton)
• Support Officer of the Year – Robert Cornish (Brisbane)
• Station of the Year – Rockhampton
• Honorary Ambulance Officer of the Year - Leigh Meyer (Moreton Island)

Mr Roberts said during the 2007-08 year the Queensland Government will inject more than $404 million in to the ambulance service, an increase of nearly 14% on the previous year, to ensure the QAS is well placed to meet the growing community demand for pre-hospital emergency care.

“Our paramedics are some of the hardest working professionals in the community with the QAS responding to a new demand for service every 39 seconds,” he said.

Ambulance Week is a state-wide celebration. For more information phone 1300 369 003 or visit www.ambulance.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571.

Brendan Connell 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976