 | Monday, 26 May, 2008
AMBULANCE VICTORIA TO LEAD THE WAY
Victoria’s three ambulance services will be unified to form a new statewide agency, Ambulance Victoria, following widespread support for the proposal.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the Brumby Government received 78 submissions in response to its consultation paper proposing the restructure, and all of the respondents supported it.
Victoria’s three agencies are the Metropolitan Ambulance Service, covering Melbourne and surrounds; Rural Ambulance Victoria; and the Alexandra District Ambulance Service.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to deliver to quality health services for Victorian families,” Mr Andrews said.
“Victoria is the only state with more than one emergency ambulance service.
“After meeting with each of the state’s ambulance services and considering the submissions, I have advised the three services of the Brumby Government’s decision to form a new state-wide ambulance service for all Victorians starting from July 1, 2008” he said.
Mr Andrews said the creation of a single agency is part of the Brumby Government’s recent State Budget boost of $185.7 million to ambulance services across the state.
He said any savings would be reinvested to improve the working environment of paramedics, help staff perform their roles more effectively and deliver better outcomes for the Victorian community.
“The creation of a single statewide agency will benefit all Victorians. A single ambulance service ensures a model of service delivery that overcomes boundaries. The new service will ensure communities receive an equitable service while recognising the particular needs of Victorian communities, including rural and regional communities,” Mr Andrews said.
He said the Government valued the work done by volunteers, including CERT teams over many years, and reiterated that their important contribution will continue. Funds raised by the ambulance auxiliaries will be quarantined for use in line with the purpose they were raised for.
Mr Andrews said all staff would retain all the rights and benefits they had accrued when transferring to the new agency.
He said the restructuring of MICA services to include more MICA single responders would strengthen clinical care and ensure that more Victorians benefit from a better spread of MICA across the state.
The package would deliver 258 extra paramedics, including almost 30 new MICA paramedics both in the air and on the road, he said.
Media Release Attachment - AmbulanceMerge.doc [Word, 51712 Bytes]
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