The Northern Zone has received a significant boost to frontline emergency care with an additional 7 paramedics starting work this month.
This workforce expansion is part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to regional and rural areas, ensuring these communities continue to receive timely and high-quality emergency medical care.
These additional paramedics will be based out of Yamba Ambulance Station, providing emergency and mobile health care across the Northern Zone as part of NSW Ambulance's highly mobile workforce.
This workforce boost comes as part of the Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) Program, which is delivering 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff, including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas, and 30 new ambulance stations.
The new starters in the Northern Zone form part of an additional 125 paramedics set to begin working across regional NSW within the next few months. These 125 paramedics are the second group to join NSW Ambulance as part of the regional 500, with 125 paramedics starting work in regional NSW last year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
"We promised the people of regional, rural and remote NSW we'd deliver them 500 new paramedics, and I am really proud that the second cohort is about to hit the road and take up new roles in the bush.
"These highly skilled paramedics will help drive better health outcomes for patients and their families, ensuring regional communities receive the same high-quality care as metropolitan areas.
"We are committed to investing in our frontline healthcare workforce to support our paramedics and provide better emergency services to the people of NSW."
Quotes attributable to Government Spokesperson for Clarence, Emily Suvaal MLC:
"The Minns Labor Government committed to improving health outcomes for the people of regional and rural New South Wales, and that is exactly what we're doing.
"I welcome the new paramedics starting work in Yamba this month, and thank them for their work in providing effective, safe, and timely care to our regional communities."
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive, Dr Dominic Morgan:
"This boost to our workforce in Yamba will help our clinicians deliver better health outcomes for patients, while also providing more support to our existing NSW Ambulance staff in regional NSW.
"As demand for our services continues to grow, we remain committed to providing excellence in care to our patients now and into the future."