Caves Beach is a step closer to a new purpose-built ambulance station, with a site identified at Kayuga Close for a new ambulance station to service Caves Beach, Swansea, and surrounding communities.
The new Caves Beach ambulance station, along with new stations for Gateshead and Edgeworth communities are being delivered to boost frontline emergency care across Lake Macquarie as part of the NSW Government's $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.
The next steps following the property acquisition will include design development and seeking planning approval for the new Caves Beach Ambulance station. Construction and operational timeframes will be determined as the project progresses.
Health Infrastructure and NSW Ambulance carried out a thorough evaluation of the site in Caves Beach to ensure the location best meets the needs of our emergency ambulance operations and paramedic staff.
New ambulance stations are located at places which optimise ambulance response performance and meet the emergency and mobile medical care needs of the local community.
NSW Ambulance identified that adding stations at Caves Beach, Gateshead and Edgeworth was a high priority following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software to map Triple Zero (000) calls.
Health Infrastructure is working to identify potential sites for new stations in Gateshead and Edgeworth.
The NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program will deliver 30 additional ambulance stations and supporting infrastructure across Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Hunter, and Wollongong over the coming years, boosting frontline emergency ambulance care.
Sites are now confirmed for North Sydney, South Windsor, Oran Park, Berowra, Prestons, Moss Vale, Bargo, Lisarow, Glendenning, and now Caves Beach.
Across the Hunter additional stations are planned for Gateshead, East Maitland, Branxton, and Edgeworth.
The Minns Labor Government is recruiting 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas, to boost emergency and mobile healthcare for our metropolitan and regional communities. Under the Strategic Workforce Infrastructure Team program, the Hunter has recently benefited from 50 additional paramedics.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
"The new Caves Beach Ambulance Station, together with the new stations for Gateshead and Edgeworth communities will support local paramedics to provide the best emergency and mobile medical care well into the future.
"The confirmation of this site at Caves Beach marks a significant milestone in delivering a vital health service for Caves Beach, Swansea and surrounding areas."
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
"I've fought hard for this - and now it's happening. A new ambulance station in Caves Beach will deliver faster emergency care to our growing community, exactly where it's needed.
"As our suburbs grow, it's important our services keep up. This new ambulance station will make sure families in Caves Beach, Swansea, Nords Wharf, Catherine Hill Bay, Murray's Beach, and Cams Wharf get the emergency care they deserve.
"The NSW Government is making sure healthcare in the Hunter is up to scratch and as we welcome today's announcement along with the $835 million John Hunter redevelopment - it's smart investments like these that make a real difference to communities like ours."
