‘Welcome’ for ambos review

Erin Pearson
A REVIEW of Ambulance Victoria has won the backing of both sides of politics in Geelong after reports of faulty equipment and staff shortages hampering services in the region.
Labor state Member for Geelong Ian Trezise said he would always “welcome improvements” in local ambulance services.
But he defended the Government’s performance on boosting ambulance services in the city.
“I have worked to increase the number of paramedics in the Geelong area and we have seen this recently with the addition of extra paramedics to ensure we do see a great ambulance service for all in Geelong,” he said.
“Last week State Government announced a $56 million rural and regional ambulance package that will deliver 297 additional paramedics across the State, with 234 paramedics to be on the road in the first year. For the Barwon south-west region, this boost will deliver 41 additional paramedics.
“The Government works closely with Ambulance Victoria to continually improve services across Victoria including in Geelong”
Victorian Nationals Party leader Peter Ryan requested the audit earlier this month after claiming a 2008 merger of the state’s rural and metropolitan ambulance services had led to a series of problems.
Liberal candidate for Geelong Alastair Thomson called for the review to “highlight the inadequacies in the Geelong area” where paramedics were “overworked and under-resourced”.
“The paramedics all do a fantastic job in the community and there are not many people who haven’t been touched by there services (but) we know there are problems,” he said.
Earlier this month the Independent revealed faulty technology was leaving paramedics lost in the field.
Liberal MLC Jan Kronberg told the state’s Upper House ambulance dispatchers were losing track of ambulances due to the fault with “status buttons” meant to enable ambulance tracking.