ph 02 9230 2977 fax 02 9230 2053. Friday April 12th, 2013. Paramedic Connect Program for Regional NSW Towns. The Hon Mel
Friday April 12th, 2013
Paramedic Connect Program for Regional NSW Towns The Hon Melinda Pavey, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health, together with Kevin Anderson MP, Member for Tamworth announced today the launch of a collaborative health program between NSW Ambulance and Local Health Districts to increase access to healthcare in the state’s small rural and remote communities. “Paramedic Connect is a program aimed at building stronger links between paramedics and the small rural communities where they are often either the only local health professional or a key part of small local teams that include GPs, nurses and other health workers,” Mrs Pavey said. Boggabri, Ashford and Barraba will be the first towns in the Hunter New England Local Health District to benefit from Paramedic Connect, a NSW Health program that highlights the important role paramedics play in remote regional areas. “The program gives paramedics the skills to expand patient treatment options and helps establish a real sense of community engagement between paramedics and the people they help every day,” Mrs Pavey said. Mrs Pavey said the program was trialled at Hillston in south western NSW in 2007 and it was clear that local patients were benefitting from health services and paramedics working together. “The NSW Government came to the election with a commitment to reform NSW Ambulance to enhance care for patients across the state. The Paramedic Connect forms part of this reform package.” Mr Anderson said he is delighted that Boggabri was the first of three remote towns to commence the program on 25 March, closely followed by Ashford and Barraba with further locations expected to be established in time. Mr Anderson said the range of activities which each station undertakes is based on local needs, aimed at addressing specific community health concerns. “While the absolute core function of our paramedics is and will always be to provide prehospital clinical care and transport to those in need, Paramedic Connect helps to expand health services in small regional communities,” Mr Anderson said. “The NSW Government is committed to ensuring our rural and regional communities, particularly those in remote areas, have access to timely, quality healthcare. Paramedic Connect is a great example of this commitment.” Mrs Pavey said the Paramedic Connect Program is for paramedics in small, low workload locations of less than 500 cases per year.
[email protected] www.melindapavey.com.au Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000 ph 02 9230 2977 fax 02 9230 2053
“The role of the paramedics will vary but the goal will always be to enhance local health care services in communities where such services may be limited due to location. This is a fantastic program and great news for these first three towns,” Mrs Pavey said.
Media Contact: Melinda Pavey - 0427 203 051 Kevin Anderson - 0418 493 867
[email protected] www.melindapavey.com.au Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000 ph 02 9230 2977 fax 02 9230 2053
