More support for Goldfields-Esperance paramedics, Crook

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 19-May-2010

The Federal Nationals candidate for the seat of O’Connor, Tony Crook, has welcomed the announcement of funding for more regional paramedics in the forthcoming state budget and has requested there be genuine consideration for additional positions in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Esperance.

Mr Crook said he was pleased to hear that the State Government is looking at funding 18 regional paramedic placements in the forthcoming budget, based on an assessment of call-out frequency.

“The Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Esperance Branches of the Nationals WA have long believed regional sub-centres have suffered as a result of there being no formal strategy in place for regional operations and are pleased with this initiative to provide extra Paramedics to regional Western Australia,” Mr Crook said.

“Having spoken with St John’s Volunteers within the regions it appears lack of training and tangible support are the greatest contributing factors to poor retention.

“This has meant some sub-centres have had to rely on the benevolence of the community, chook raffles or local business to obtain funding for even the basic operational necessities.”

Mr Crook said the local Nationals branch has requested an additional four positions for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Esperance regions, in order to get both centres adequately stagged to meet their operational requirements.

“The advice we have received is that an extra two Kalgoorlie-Boulder positions might be allocated as Satellite Training/Paramedic positions,” he said.

“This would not only enhance the quality and occurrence of training to SJA staff but also allow for the development of a structured and supportive career pathway designed to increase and maintain volunteer member numbers.”

Mr Crook said members of the Goldfields branch of the Nationals Party were also writing a letter to Mr Tony Ahern, the CEO of the St John’s Ambulance service in WA.