Rodney Stevens
Regional areas in NSW will get an additional 500 new paramedics over the next four years under a Minns government plan to strengthen the NSW Ambulance workforce, with the first cohort of 125 paramedics beginning their induction this month, but no mention yet of any more of these “life savers” for the Clarence.
Regional NSW Ambulance stations who have been proposed to receive these additional 125 paramedics have been announced, with both Ballina and Lismore stations slated to receive new paramedics, while nothing has been proposed yet for the Clarence Valley.
The CV Independent asked Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, how many paramedics we have in the Valley, has he approached Health Minister Ryan Park about more paramedics in the Clarence Valley and what was his response, and whether he knows of plans for more paramedics to be stationed in the valley, where they will be stationed and when this will happen.
“As the Member for Clarence, I will always advocate for better health services and our fair share from Sydney,” Mr Williamson said.
“I have done that in securing funding for the next stage of the Grafton Base Hospital redevelopment.”
Mr Williamson said new ambulance stations had been built in his electorate at Iluka, Evans Head and Casino, an investment by the former Liberal and Nationals government.
“The Iluka station has seen 12 new paramedics employed in Iluka,” he said.
Mr Williamson said he has advocated the need for more paramedics in the Clarence to Health minister Ryan Park
“It disappoints me greatly that the NSW Labor Government has overlooked the seat of Clarence for additional paramedics at a time when they are required,” he said.
“It is a matter for the NSW Health Minister to explain and justify where the additional paramedics will be based and how the Government has determined the specific locations.
“I have written to Minister Park seeking information on when additional paramedics will be announced for the Clarence electorate.”
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive, Dr Dominic Morgan said service demand and workforce planning to determine where these paramedics will be allocated in regional NSW was complete.
“The significant increase to the paramedic workforce will boost NSW Ambulance’s capacity to provide high quality care to patients across NSW,” he said.
“I look forward to welcoming these new paramedics to NSW Ambulance, where they will be able to build upon their skills learned in training to help their local communities.”
In a bid to stem the exodus of paramedics across the border to Queensland, where they are paid more than in NSW, in December 2023, after more than 1500 paramedics threatened not to renew their professional registration, the NSW government agreed on a pay rise of up to 29 per-cent over the next four years.
On January 1, 2024, the base salary of a year six paramedic increased from $79,737 to $88,082, and with further increases, by July 2026 a year six paramedic will have a base salary of $103,361.
As part of the agreement, the base salary of critical care paramedics will increase from $98,390 to $127,261 and the base pay of a specialist year three paramedic increases from $90,711 to $117,328.