Ambo centre ‘move threat’

KIM WATERS
LIVES will be at risk when Geelong’s ambulance dispatch centre moves to Ballarat this month, according to a paramedics spokesperson.
Steve McGhie said the move would “expose” a shortage of paramedics in Geelong.
Ambulance Victoria’s “transition” of four other dispatch centres across the state had increased emergency caseloads and highlighted staff shortages, he said.
Mr McGhie expected similar problems for Geelong.
“The reason is that the communication system they’re using errs on the side of caution and sends more ambulances to what they believe are emergencies that may not require an emergency response,” he said.
“It takes that ambulance out of its immediate area when other cases actually do require an emergency response.”
Mr McGhie called for a revision of the communication system and an increase in ambulance staff at the five new centres.
“We think more staff are required to override the system and make sure ambulance crews are going to real emergency cases. We call on both Ambulance Victoria and State Government to make sure Geelong is appropriately resourced when communications go across to Ballarat.”
Mr McGhie said Geelong would need “at least” 20 to 30 extra paramedics to cope with the expected increase in workload after the dispatch centre moved.
“Geelong needs at least three more crews, 24 hours a day immediately, at a minimum.”
d it’s only going to get worse later this month.”
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said the new Ballarat centre would dispatch emergency calls in rural areas from across the state.
“This has been the biggest reform seen in regional ambulance communication,” the spokesperson said.
“It’s a process that in other areas has taken countless years to upgrade just one centre and we’ve planned and delivered five centres in just over a year.
“The transition has been a huge success and brings with it substantial benefits for the community.”