Faster response times to medical emergencies are expected in Maribyrnong following construction of a new ambulance ‘super response centre’.
A new 24-hour paramedic team, featuring a new ambulance and 14 full-time equivalent paramedics, will be added to the area as part of a $500 million spend that will employ 450 extra paramedics over the next three years.
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson said Maribyrnong’s new ‘super response centre’ will boost capacity and cut waiting times via extra paramedics who can support local paramedics during periods of peak demand.
“This means there will be extra capacity for emergencies such as the thunderstorm asthma event,” she said.
“We will be able to build up capacity and better manage workload needs.”
Ms Thomson said the location of the new ambulance station was yet to be finalised, but she hoped construction could begin sooner rather than later.
“There will be a lot of consideration in the siting, but the intention is to move as quickly as we can.”
She said the increase in paramedics would be backed up by a $50 million boost to hire more clinicians and open more beds at hospital emergency departments.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the spending was the biggest investment in the service in Victoria’s history.
“In a medical emergency, every second saves lives. That’s why we’re ensuring people in Maribyrnong get the right emergency care, quickly, when they need it.”
Ms Hennessy said the timing of the announcement was unrelated to last month’s thunderstorm asthma event.
