Regional communities across NSW will benefit from a new fleet of state-of-the-art intensive care ambulances thanks to an $11.7 million funding boost by the NSW Government.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the 69 intensive care ambulances will carry the most advanced equipment, including upgraded life-saving defibrillators, to bolster the frontline emergency response across the State.
“Every second counts in the race to save a life and these highly specialised vehicles give paramedics the best chance when transporting a patient on extended trips to a major regional hospital,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The NSW Government is building a safer and stronger regional NSW, with 50 of the 69 ambulances being based in rural and regional areas, supporting those who live hundreds of kilometres from the nearest trauma centre.”
The intensive care ambulances will be rolled out to Western NSW, Southern NSW, Northern NSW, Hunter New England and Central Coast regions as well as metropolitan areas.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the new fleet is in addition to the 35 intensive care ambulances rolled out across the State last year.
“We will now have more than 100 of these highly specialised ambulances in NSW, the largest fleet of this type in any state or territory in Australia,” Mr Hazzard said.
“These specially equipped ambulances, operated by our fantastic highly trained paramedics, will give patients the best chance of survival before they reach hospital.”
The new vehicles carry cutting-edge equipment including upgraded monitor defibrillators, video laryngoscopes and mechanical CPR devices.
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dominic Morgan said the equipment will make a big difference for patients suffering trauma, cardiac arrest, stroke or breathing difficulties.
“The equipment also provides our paramedics with greater protection when treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients,” Dr Morgan said.
In 2020-21 the NSW Government is investing more than $1 billion in NSW Ambulance, including $27 million for 180 new staff, the third tranche of the 2018 commitment to recruit 750 more paramedic and control centre staff over four years.
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