The Allan Labor Government has delivered a new state-of-the-art ambulance branch in Gisborne, supporting its hardworking paramedics to continue delivering world-class emergency care and saving lives across the community.
Minister for Ambulance Services and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today joined local paramedics to inspect their newly complete home base featuring modern amenities, enhancing safety, security, and capabilities at the branch.
The bigger and better facility will include a four-bay garage for ambulances, four rest and recline areas for paramedics to recuperate, training facilities, a fully equipped kitchen, car parking, and improved security to make sure crews are safe right around the clock.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, the project involved dismantling the old Gisborne Ambulance Station and replacing it with the modern facilities our paramedics need to support their life-saving work.
It is one of 15 new or refurbished stations being delivered across regional Victoria, with paramedics in towns such as Euroa, Avoca, and Paynesville to soon operate from safer, more modern home bases.
Since 2015, the Labor Government has invested $279 million to deliver 51 ambulance stations across the state - providing better working conditions for paramedics and ensuring lifesaving emergency care is available for all Victorians.
The Government has also invested an additional $2 billion into our ambulance services, doubling the on-road workforce with 2,200 more paramedics on the road since 2014.
Additionally, all 2022 election commitments made to the Victorian people have been funded in this year's budget, including to employ and train 40 new Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance employees.
The Labor Government is also delivering Australia's first Paramedic Practitioners with a master's course at Monash University from 2024, with at least 25 paramedic practitioners trained and on the road by 2026.
A new Centre for Paramedicine at Victoria University is also establishing the next generation of paramedics, providing advanced teaching methods - with a capacity to train around 1,500 paramedic students each year.
As stated by Minister for Ambulance Services and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"Our paramedics are the very best of us - we know our community relies on their expertise when faced with a health emergency, making the bigger and better Gisborne Ambulance Station all the more important."
"The new station will give ourlocal paramedics the modern, fit-for-purpose workplace they deserve, while ensuring they have the best facilities to continue doing what they do best - save lives."
