New vehicles enhance ambulance service in Cairns

Residents in and around Cairns will get a boost to their Ambulance Service today when two new ambulance vehicles roll into town.

Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts will visit the Cairns Ambulance Station today to do the handover.

Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said the new ambulance vehicles are a reinforcement of the Government’s commitment to providing more emergency service resources to the frontline.

"These vehicles are equipped with the most advanced technology available including the new state of the art Stryker stretcher and Stryker stair chair which both have the ability to hold patients who weigh over 200 kilograms," Ms Boyle said.

"Features like these ensure greater comfort and care of both the patient and officer."

Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts said the Bligh Government is committed to ensuring Cairns Ambulance Station is equipped to deal with population growth.

"By formally handing over these vehicles which are worth $180,000 each the Government is making sure the people of Cairns have access to state of the art ambulance facilities in the years to come.

"Of course the service would not be of such a high standard without the dedication and professionalism of the staff at the station who work around the clock to service these communities.

"And resources to the station would not be of such a high quality if it were not for the support of the Local Ambulance Committee who dedicate time and resources to fundraising in an effort to better equip ambulance stations."

"The Bligh Government’s playing its part by allocating record levels of funding to the QAS. This financial year the QAS budget has increased by $53.1 million to $455.7 million.

"That means the QAS will recruit 250 additional ambulance officers and buy 145 new ambulances this financial year.

"This builds on the 255 extra officers and 140 new vehicles funded in 2007-08.

"The Far Northern Region is set to receive its allocation of new ambulance vehicles as part of the 145 funded this financial year which will add to the eight it received last year."

Media contact – Corinne Mulholland (Minister’s office) – 0411 964 462

Today’s Visit Details: 1:15pm at Cairns Ambulance Station, 42-40 Anderson Street, Manunda.