Photo from left: Denise Heinjus, Dipak Sanghvi, Andrew Crisp, Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas, Laura De Witt, Member for Werribee John Lister, Simon Dortmans, Jess McGowan, Michael Georgiou.
Ambulance Station to Boost Emergency Response
A new cutting-edge ambulance station has been inaugurated in Manor Lakes, providing a modern workspace for over 35 paramedics to swiftly respond to local emergencies. The facility, which will operate round-the-clock, is designed to alleviate pressure on the existing ambulance station in Werribee.
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The Manor Lakes station boasts a four-bay ambulance garage, two rest and recline areas, training facilities, a fully equipped kitchen, and additional parking spaces. This development is part of a larger $279 million project aimed at establishing or upgrading 46 ambulance stations, with five more in the pipeline.
The paramedic workforce has seen a substantial increase of over 50%, equivalent to nearly 2,200 additional paramedics. In November, Ambulance Victoria welcomed 84 new graduates and 15 experienced paramedics, with the latter already serving in regional Victoria to cater to the growing demand for emergency care.
This month saw the largest intake into the Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Bridging Program, with 30 paramedics joining the 586-strong MICA team to provide more specialized, lifesaving care. The first Paramedic Practitioners in Australia are currently studying at Monash University, with a new law passed in February to establish this role. Once qualified, they will be able to assess, diagnose, and treat patients in regional and rural Victoria next year.
The Standards for Safe and Timely Ambulance and Emergency Care for Victorians, recently announced, are being implemented at 17 major metro and regional health services to facilitate faster patient handover at emergency departments.
The need for these investments in workforce and infrastructure is underscored by the latest quarterly performance data, which shows a sustained demand with nearly 100,000 Code One cases, an increase of 3,000 from the previous year.
Minister for Ambulance Services, Mary-Anne Thomas, commented, “Our dedicated paramedics at the new Manor Lakes station are on the frontline – so we’re making sure they have the modern, safe facilities they need to do their lifesaving work.”
Health Infrastructure Minister, Melissa Horne, added, “Whether it’s the upgrade to the Werribee Mercy Hospital, the new Werribee Early Parenting Centre or this new ambulance station – we’re delivering local families the healthcare they need.”
Member for Werribee, John Lister, noted, “We know that our community is growing and this new station will help to ensure families in Manor Lakes, Wyndham Vale and the surrounding suburbs have access to the emergency care they need, close to home.”
