21 new ambulance officers for Northern region

Twenty-one new ambulance officers will be appointed to boost services in the Northern region this financial year, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said.

During Parliamentary Estimates hearings today, Mr Roberts said the allocation to the Northern region, which stretches from north of Townsville down to Collinsville and west to Mt Isa, was on top of the 18 extra officers the area received last financial year.

“The Queensland Government has provided $18.3 million funding for the recruitment of 250 additional ambulance officers in 2007-08, on top of the 255 officers recruited in 2008-09,” Mr Roberts said.

“Almost 70 of the 250 have been recruited so far, and today I can announce that 21 additional officers will be heading for stations in the Northern region.”

“It will mean an extra 39 ambulance officers have been allocated for Northern region ambulance stations over two years (2006-07 and 2007-08).”

Mr Roberts said the QAS determined the allocation of its staff based on operational needs.

“Across Queensland, the QAS provided 879,134 responses to incidents in 2007-08, up 7.66% on 2006-07,” he said.

“There was also a 9.48% increase in responses to urgent cases.”

“The Bligh Government is planning for and managing growth by providing more staff and more resources to the ambulance service than ever before.”

Mr Roberts said there were significant demand increases in the Northern region.

“In 2007-08, the QAS provided 64,696 responses to incidents, including 44,451 responses to Code one and two cases, which is a 6.98% increase for urgent or life-threatening cases.”

“In addition, three full-time equivalent Emergency Medical Dispatcher positions will be allocated across the State.”

Of the 250 new officers, five remain unallocated in order for the QAS to strategically deploy extra officers throughout the year based on operational needs.

Mr Roberts said the QAS sets the highest standards for recruitment.

“These new recruits will be joining one of the best ambulance services in this country,” he said.

“A patient satisfaction rating of above 97% tells a story in itself, while once again this year paramedics have taken out the prestigious ’Most Trusted Profession’ poll in Reader’s Digest magazine.

“The State Government has now provided funding for 505 additional ambulance officers and 285 new vehicles over two years.

“This is an unprecedented investment in the Queensland Ambulance Service.”

Media contact:
Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350
Brendan Connell 0437 837 976