A multi-million package for a new ambulance station, vehicles and extra staff is aimed at wiping out the region’s “triangle of death” status among paramedics.
Paramedics have previously described Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury as a “triangle of death” because there’s at least a 20 minute call-out wait on new jobs when staff are tied up with patients or en route to hospitals.
The state government last week announced Melton would get a new ambulance station and vehicle, and an extra 14 full-time equivalent paramedics.
Bacchus Marsh will also get another ambulance, plus 14 full-time equivalent staff.
The state government earlier this year announced $2.5 million to build a new state-of-the-art ambulance station at Bacchus Marsh. The current station, built almost 50 years ago, responds to about 250 call-outs per month.
The latest announcement is part of a $500 million investment over five years to employ 450 more paramedics, buy new vehicles and build new stations around the state.
The new Melton station will feature a drive-in, drive-out garage bay for ambulances, rest areas, training rooms, modern amenities and a kitchen. It will complement the McKenzie Street station that was built three years ago.
Ambulance Employees Union Victorian branch secretary Steve McGhie said the additional paramedics would ensure an extra day shift and a night shift at Melton and Bacchus Marsh.
He hopes this will ensure at least some resources remain in the area while paramedics transport patients to hospitals, sometimes as far as Royal Melbourne Hospital in the CBD.
“I think this will go a long way to assist paramedics,” Mr McGhie said.
“I don’t know if we can ever fix it 100 per cent … because you’ll need to put in that many additional resources, it would be ridiculous.
“This may mean that further support needs to be put in Caroline Springs, so it can tap into the Melbourne side of Melton.”
Ambulance Services Minister Jill Hennessy said while ambulance response times were improving, there is still more work to do.
“In a medical emergency, every second saves lives,” she said. “That’s why we’re ensuring people in Melton and Bacchus Marsh get the right emergency care quickly, when they need it.”
Melton MP Don Nardella said the new ambulance stations would make a “huge difference” to the towns’ hardworking paramedics.
The funding includes six ‘super response centres’ to be built across Melbourne, including in the west, outer north-west and north.
