The Minns Labor Government has once again let down the people of regional NSW, breaking an election promise to deliver 500 Intensive Care Paramedics (ICPs) and Extended Care Paramedics (EPCs) to areas in need of better healthcare services.
This comes after Health Minister Ryan Park backed away from the commitment during a Budget Estimates hearing. Minister Park failed to answer how many of the first cohort of 125 were trained in the two specialist areas, declaring 500 ECPs and ICPs are not needed.
This alarming revelation coincides with state-wide nurse strikes, which caused disruptions to elective surgeries and led to major delays for patients across the state.
Mr Park refused to take responsibility for the impact of the action instead stating “everyone should be sorry for that” because “everybody has a responsibility to deliver health services” including nurses, clinicians and even cleaners.
Member for Myall Lakes, Tanya Thompson expressed disappointment in the Government’s disregard for the healthcare crisis facing regional communities.
“This is yet another broken promise from a Government whose failures are hitting us hard in the Myall Lakes,” said Mrs Thompson.
“Our local ambulances are already being stripped away to cover gaps in other towns, and now they’ve walked away from a commitment to provide the specialist paramedics our region needs.
“Our frontline workers are doing their best under impossible circumstances, but they’re exhausted and reaching their breaking point.”
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh said the failure to deliver specialised paramedics is concerning for our country communities.
“Not only has this Government failed to deliver the skilled professionals we need, but it is also failing to retain the staff we already have,” Mr Singh said.
“Intensive and extended care paramedics are specifically trained to provide life-saving care to a higher level, which is particularly important in regional NSW because our residents travel further to reach a hospital.
“It is clear the Premier is all talk and no action when it comes to his election promises and our residents deserve better.”
