POLL: Millions of dollars are being invested in five new ambulance super stations for Sydney at the expense of upgrading ageing stations like Wollongong, the region’s health union delegate says.
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Health Services Union Illawarra Shoalhaven sub-branch vice-president Anton Jamsek said Wollongong was the hub station for the area, yet it was ‘‘well past its use-by date’’ and in major need of refurbishment or relocation.
‘‘The facility was built nearly 50 years ago and is not up to standard for a modern ambulance service,’’ Mr Jamsek said.
‘‘Forty-six permanent staff are attached to the station, as well as part-time and casual staff, in addition to operational components like the intensive care and primary paramedic units and the special operations team.
‘‘There’s only just enough bays for all the vehicles but there’s not enough room to swing a cat when all shifts are on – opening the doors of the ambulances and manoeuvring vehicles out becomes extremely tight.’’
The state government is funding five super stations in Bankstown, Blacktown, Kogarah, Liverpool and Penrith as part of a $150million investment which will also cover the cost of additional sites for future stations.
Closer to home, $5million has been committed to a new ambulance station for Berry and $5million to upgrade and relocate Kiama station, however Mr Jamsek said funding should also be allocated to the Wollongong station.
‘‘All these new facilities are being built yet Wollongong hasn’t been earmarked for any capital work funding and it’s in major need of an upgrade.
‘‘I think the location (455 Crown Street) also needs to be looked at as traffic is becoming more and more congested, making it increasingly difficult for crews to move out.
‘‘It would be better for the station to be ... closer to a main arterial road so crews could respond to calls in a more timely fashion.’’
Earlier this week HSU state secretary Gerard Hayes told the Mercury a resurgence in bed block at hospital emergency departments in the region was putting added pressure on crews, forced to wait with patients for beds to free up. This combined with a staffing shortfall of 43 paramedics in the Illawarra alone.
Mr Jamsek, a paramedic of 27 years, said a rise in minimum operating levels was needed to ease the pressure.
‘‘We’re dealing with increases in workload and population in this region.
‘‘Plus an increase in facilities with the expansion of Wollongong Hospital, the upcoming opening of Wollongong Private Hospital and the expansion of Shellharbour Hospital in the future.
‘‘So we desperately need an investment in staff as well as facilities.’’
NSW Ambulance Illawarra zone manager Superintendent Michele Jordan said funding priorities for ambulance stations for next year were being reviewed and assessed.
However she said the Berry and Kiama projects represented a ‘‘significant funding boost’’ for ambulance infrastructure in the region.
‘‘Wollongong ambulance station is a large, fully resourced and well-functioning station which serves the local community well,’’ she said.
‘‘...Right now the priority in this region is the building of these two new state-of-the-art ambulance stations at Berry and Kiama which will ensure the best possible service delivery for the local community.
‘‘This significant investment ... will ensure that paramedics are best placed to provide the right care, to the right patient, in the right place, in the right way every time.’’
lwachsmuth@fairfaxmedia.com.au
