NSW Set for More Ambulance Staff

Did you know that the first recognised ambulance service in NSW, known as the Civil Ambulance and Transport Brigade, commenced operations in April 1895? The first ambulance station was a borrowed police station in Railway Square, Sydney staffed by two permanent officers. Patients were transported on hand-held stretchers and hand litters.

The Brigade was a dedicated community-based organisation, operating the first horse drawn ambulance in 1899 and first motor vehicle in 1912, both donated to the Brigade by the public. Radio controlled vehicles commenced operation in 1937, a rescue service in 1941, a training school in 1961 and Air Ambulance in 1967. Advanced life support and intensive care vehicles were introduced in 1976.

There are not many people who don’t have a story to tell about how our “Ambos” helped them or their loved ones during times of distress. And now NSW Ambulance is set for expansion as the NSW Government has announced a $1.76 billion boost to frontline emergency care to deliver 2,128 new recruits and 30 more ambulance stations as part of the NSW Government’s 2022-23 Budget.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the record investment will ensure the community has access to a quality ambulance service for years to come.

“With ambulance services across the country experiencing unprecedented demand, the NSW Government is ensuring our communities and our paramedics are well placed for the challenges ahead,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“The Goulburn electorate has already benefited from the new stations in Yass and Goulburn. These stations were delivered as part of the NSW Government’s Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program.

“This record funding will deliver extra paramedics, ambulance support staff, nurses and doctors, increasing capacity from call centres to call outs. NSW Ambulance will have the largest paramedic workforce in the country.

“This is great news for our community. We rely on our local paramedics and now they’ll have additional support to continue the invaluable work they do for us.”

The $1.76 billion over four years will provide NSW with 1,857 extra paramedics, 210 ambulance support staff, 52 nurses and eight doctors.

In this Budget, the NSW Government will deliver 30 new stations including at Warilla, Kincumber, Lisarow, Gateshead, Swansea, Cherrybrook, Raby and Narellan in the coming year, with 22 more stations to come over the following three years.

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• Health & Wellbeing
• History