Paramedics have welcomed a commitment by the NSW Government to invest in non-ambulance transport for regional areas, but warn that the response to the regional healthcare Inquiry fails to fully support other measures badly needed to bridge the healthcare gap beyond the city.
"Regional Paramedics know better than anyone how healthcare standards lag outside the city, and we've spent years drawing attention to the need for more investment in our communities", said Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) Acting Secretary Scott Beaton.
Mr Beaton, a Gilgandra Intensive Care Paramedic who appeared before Parliament as part of the Inquiry, said regional staff will welcome more investment—in particular a commitment to enhanced Patient Transport Services to help manage low-acuity workload.
"Especially in towns which only have one or two ambulances, it's absolutely crucial we invest in alternative transport for low acuity patients to keep those vehicles free for emergency responses.
"This change will come as a relief to all regional staff. We're glad to see some movement on this issue from the Government, and pleased to see years of continued advocacy beginning to pay off."
Despite this, the union says the Government have failed to meaningfully support other core recommendations aimed at improving care for patients in regional communities.
"We're concerned the Government are shying away from a once-in-a-generation opportunity to really address the root causes of health inequality across our regions", said Mr Beaton.
"Today's response noticeably fails to commit to improvements to call triaging and referral services, both essential aspects of the battle to combat skyrocketing workload for our regional staff.
"The Government neglected to commit to investing in specialists like Extended Care Paramedics, whose advanced skills make them invaluable to under-resourced regional communities.
"In a rural area, an Extended Care Paramedic can mean the difference between an hours-long transport to a hospital waiting room or a patient getting swift, effective treatment in the comfort of their home.
"The Inquiry recommended an expansion of the ECP program, in addition to regional training so that would-be specialists no longer have to pack up and move into the city should they wish to acquire these high level skills.
"It's deeply disappointing that the Government would choose not to endorse actions directly recommended by a Parliamentary process, and which frontline workers have spent years telling them are needed in our regional communities."
