A 2024 Auditor’s General Report on Ambulance Services in regional NSW has revealed what paramedics are calling an “unsustainable” system putting lives at risk.
While the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW APA) acknowledges the government’s initiative undertaking the audit, they say now is the time to fix the issues.
Crew numbers, a lack of ambulances, rostering issues and outdated medical systems are what they are blaming for the shortcomings.
Of greatest concern to NSW paramedics is the worrying increase in response times due to the shift from on-call to rostered shifts.
The report, they say, highlights the need for more paramedic crews on the road to meet the growing demand in regional areas.
Yet, increased numbers of paramedics being deployed, needs to be matched by the number of ambulances available in towns.
APA vice-president Scott Beaton says the audit report reveals significant flaws in the efficiency and effectiveness of ambulance services in regional NSW.
“While we acknowledge that the vast distances in regional areas inherently lead to more travel time, paramedics are frustrated by the inability to maintain adequate resources, resulting in longer travel times than optimal – this significantly impacts the timely delivery of emergency medical services, which is particularly alarming given the critical nature of ambulance response times in saving lives,” he explained.
Mr Beaton also expressed deep concern over the findings.
“The shift from on-call to rostered shifts without a corresponding increase in paramedic crews is a recipe for disaster,” he says.
“Our communities are being put at risk and immediate action is needed to rectify this situation.”
He emphasised that the current system is unsustainable and that the report is a wake-up call for the government and health authorities.
“We need more paramedics on the road to ensure that people in regional NSW receive the timely medical attention they deserve,” he added.
“Our paramedics are stretched to their limits.”
The auditor’s report includes several key recommendations to improve ambulance services in regional NSW, such as implementing a new electronic medical record system, improving oversight of response times, and enhancing strategic engagement between NSW Ambulance and Local Health Districts.
The need for immediate measures to increase the number of paramedics on the road is at the forefront of the APA’s concerns.
“The recommendations in the audit report are a step in the right direction, but we need to ensure they are implemented promptly and effectively,” says Mr Beaton.
“Our rural and regional communities cannot afford to wait.”
But, an NSW Ambulance spokesperson said the APA’s claims entirely contradicted the findings in the independent review.
In fact, they stated, the Auditor General’s Report asserted:
“NSW Health is maintaining effective ambulance services in regional New South Wales, despite increasing demand.
“Since October 2022, response times for ambulances improved at a statewide level, and the two ambulance zones examined (Murrumbidgee and Southern) as part of this audit demonstrated a similar improvement.
“NSW Ambulance undertakes holistic service planning and effectively considers demand, workload, coverage and capability requirements when planning its workforce.
“Recent investments in the regional paramedic workforce, such as the conversion of selected ambulance stations to a 24-hour roster (as opposed to an on-call roster) have reduced the number of on-call shifts worked by paramedics. The reduction in on-call shifts has improved the working conditions of regional paramedics.”
It’s understood the Ministry of Health is currently working with NSW Ambulance to finalise a Transport for Health strategy, including undertaking a review of all non-emergency patient transport operators in place across NSW and determining an approach to provide patient transport services across the state.
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