The Minns Labor Government has today unveiled artist's impressions showcasing new ambulance stations at Caves Beach and Gateshead, providing a first look at the modern, purpose-built facilities that will soon bolster emergency and mobile medical care for Hunter communities.
The new ambulance stations are part of the NSW Government's $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program, which will deliver 30 additional ambulance stations and support paramedic infrastructure over the coming years.
The new stations will significantly enhance emergency care capacity, and support paramedics to deliver timely and high-quality emergency and mobile medical care to local communities.
The purpose-built ambulance stations will include internal parking for emergency ambulance vehicles, a dedicated vehicle wash bay, a multipurpose area for paramedics, a gym, meeting and training rooms, administration areas, logistics and storage facilities, and on-site parking.
With excellent access to the major road network, the sites are ideally situated to complement existing ambulance stations in the network and will help meet the growing health needs of the local region.
Locations for the new ambulance stations:
- Gateshead Ambulance Station - 79 Oakdale Road, Gateshead
- Caves Beach Ambulance Station - 2-4 Kayuga Close, Caves Beach
Construction is expected to begin on the new stations this year, following planning approval and the appointment of building contractors.
New stations are also planned at East Maitland, Edgeworth and North Rothbury, further boosting mobile emergency care across the Hunter region. The community will continue to be updated as planning progresses.
The Minns Labor Government is recruiting 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas, to increase emergency and mobile healthcare for our metropolitan and regional communities.
The Hunter region is already benefiting from 62 additional paramedics to support emergency care in the region. This includes 12 paramedics who will work out of a temporary site at Sandgate while planning and delivery of a new ambulance station at Gateshead progresses.
For more information visit: www.nsw.gov.au/ambulance-infrastructure-program
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
"These new ambulance stations will support our paramedics to deliver world-class emergency care to communities in the Hunter well into the future.
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring our growing communities receive the emergency care they need, when they need it.
"Our $615.5 million investment will help optimise response times and shows we're backing our frontline workers with the infrastructure and resources they need to continue to deliver high-quality emergency care across NSW."
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley:
"Since becoming the Member for Swansea, I have been relentless in fighting to secure the services our community needs and today we are one step closer to delivering on that vision.
"As Swansea continues to grow, access to high-quality healthcare close to home is a necessity. No one should be left hoping an ambulance can get there in time.
"Locating a station closer to where people live means faster care when every second counts and that can be the difference between life and death. I'm pleased this project is moving forward, with construction expected to begin this year."
Quotes attributable to Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison:
"I welcome today's announcement of the new Gateshead ambulance site and release of the artist impressions.
"It marks a significant milestone in delivering a vital health service for our local community and surrounding areas.
"This new Gateshead ambulance station is something that this growing community has been calling for and means people will soon be able to access the best emergency and mobile medical care close to home."
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
