Photo caption: Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall wants to see a brand new ambulance station in Glen Innes, constructed in addition to the $50 million hospital redevelopment.
A NEW ambulance station must be included in the redevelopment of Glen Innes District Hospital according to Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, who last week met with the town’s paramedics to discuss the condition of the current Bourke Street station, which is scheduled for refurbishment.
Mr Marshall said the 74-year-old station no longer met the requirements or expectations of current ambulance services, let alone future needs.
“Opened in 1948 the Bourke Street station would have been modern for its time, but with the larger vehicles and more advanced equipment of today it really is no longer suitable,” Mr Marshall said.
“It can barely house two of the three ambulances based in Glen Innes and likely won’t even be physically able to accommodate the next Ambulance models, let alone all the needs of our hard-working local and visiting paramedics.
“Any refurbishment would simply be a short-term band-aid fix, when the long term cure for a healthy ambulance service in Glen Innes would simply be the inclusion of a new station within the hospital footprint.
“Paramedics stationed in Glen Innes have told me any new development would need to include plenty of internal parking for at least six emergency ambulance vehicles, an external wash bay and space for staff amenities and administration.
“Importantly high-quality, comfortable relief accommodation must also be a factor so temporary staff are encouraged to cover shifts while hard working local crews are on leave.
“It makes sense to everyone, from a continuity-of-care aspect, that a location for a new premises is included on hospital grounds where nurses, doctors and paramedics can support each other.”
Mr Marshall said he has already expressed to Regional Health Minister Bronnie Taylor and NSW Health Infrastructure the need for an ambulance station site to be included in the hospital’s masterplan.
“With the draft hospital masterplan yet to be finalised I have specifically asked the project team to find an appropriate space where a new station could be located,” he said.
“Should a site be accommodated, I will be fighting to ensure its construction costs don’t come out of the $50 million allocation for the new Glen Innes Hospital, but a separate budget allocation be provided.
“This is a once-in-a-generation redevelopment, we only have one chance to get it right so that the people of Glen Innes have the health services they need and deserve.”