Paramedic boost to bolster care and coverage for gisborne

The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring Gisborne has greater access to paramedics and timely medical services thanks to a $14.8 million funding investment in Ambulance Victoria.

As part of the 2020/21 Budget commitment, a Peak Period Unit will be deployed in Gisborne from next month, bringing this initiative forward from 2022/23.

The Peak Period Unit (PPU) will see an extra crew comprising of two Advanced Life Support paramedics on shift for up to twelve hours during the branches’ busiest times.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, said it was about ensuring people in Gisborne and its surrounding areas were not disadvantaged when it came to healthcare and timely medical services.

As part of the boost, 20 graduate paramedics have started working across Victoria, a further 20 are scheduled to begin work in February and another 37 graduates will start in March to fill rural vacancies.

The funding will also see an additional twelve triage practitioners employed in Ambulance Victoria’s triage services providing greater alterative care pathways to Victorians who don’t require a lights and sirens ambulance response.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP
"These extra resources are part of the Andrews Government’s commitment to healthcare and will help Ambulance Victoria continue to ensure that rural and regional Victorians get the best care, every time."

"The healthcare system plays a vital role in our community and I am passionate about ensuring that we all have access to the highest standard of care."

"This includes making sure that our wonderful and dedicated paramedics can continue to meet demand as more and more people decide to call Gisborne home."