The Andrews Labor Government is boosting ambulance resources across regional Victoria and making sure paramedics have the facilities and support they need to quickly respond to local emergencies and save lives.
Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas was in Ararat this week to see first-hand how construction is progressing on a multi-million-dollar upgrade of the Ararat Ambulance Station on Basham Street in Ararat.
Since construction started in June this year, demolition works, the concrete slab, and building extension framing and cladding have been completed, while internal works are continuing to progress.
Once complete, the refurbished Ararat Ambulance Station will have a new Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) covered space, new medical and delivery stores and improved training facilities and amenities for paramedics.
On track to be completed by late 2022, Ararat is one of 15 new or refurbished stations with construction underway or about to get underway across the state.
The refurbishment is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with builder, Bowden Corporation.
In more good news, Ararat will soon have its own Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance unit. Expected to come online in January 2023 once training is complete - the unit will provide additional lifesaving skills to the community.
MICA paramedics have a higher clinical skill set and can perform more advanced medical procedures. They can perform advanced airway management, manage complex head injuries, treat life-threatening chest injuries and provide advanced management of cardiac conditions.
The Labor Government invested close to $250 million around Victorian to upgrade and rebuild ambulance stations to provide better working conditions for paramedics.
Ambulance Victoria recruited 700 paramedics in 2021 - its single largest annual recruitment ever - and is on track to recruit the same number this year. This will be critical in responding to increasing demand, with the organisation recently experiencing its busiest two quarters on record.
The Government has increased the paramedic workforce by more than 65 per cent since 2014 - almost 2,200 staff.
As stated by Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas
"We're making sure paramedics in Ararat have the facilities that support them to do what they do best - save lives."
"The refurbishment is delivering a modern and advanced ambulance station that will enable hard-working paramedics to provide the best lifesaving emergency care, now and into the future."
"Our MICA paramedics are highly skilled, and Ararat's new crew will ensure locals receive the best possible care."
As stated by Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford
"As works continue, even better emergency care for families in Ararat and surrounding areas is just around the corner to ensure all Victorians receive the care they deserve."
