Slap in the face to Toc. ambulance

Mr Hazzard’s office issued a press release last Wednesday boasting about funding for a refurbishment to Lockhart’s Ambulance Station. 

Mr Hazzard last year denied Tocumwal’s claim to a new ambulance station, stating that the area was adequately serviced by paramedics in Finley and Berrigan. 

This is despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary, and Tocumwal’s fluctuating population during holiday seasons.

Earlier this year, Tocumwal mother Rebecca Cork was forced to drive her seizing baby to Tocumwal Hospital herself, knowing that she would have to wait for an ambulance from another town.

‘‘She stopped breathing while I was on the phone to the ambulance, and that’s when I decided to take her to the hospital,’’ Mrs Cork said of her traumatic experience.

The Lockhart Ambulance Station refurbishments include ‘‘alterations and additions to staff amenities, plant room improvements, and an internal and external upgrade such as new carpets and repainting.’’

According to the press release, the refurbishments will be delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program.

The press release also divulged that the NSW Government spent ‘‘over half a billion dollars (on hospitals) in the Wagga Wagga region  – one of the largest health capital spends in regional NSW.’’

This spend included ‘‘$30 million for a new multistorey car park project at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.’’

Despite his office’s decision to deny Tocumwal an ambulance station, Mr Hazzard claimed to be dedicated to supporting regional and rural health resources. 

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in rural and regional health infrastructure to support better health outcomes for local communities,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Our paramedics need the best possible workplace to provide emergency medical care, and the infrastructure improvements will make a real difference to their working environment,” he said.

For community members and politicians like Member for Murray Helen Dalton, Mr Hazzard’s claim that the government is committed to rural health rings empty.

“Tocumwal has three times the population of Lockhart. So I don’t know why we continue to be ignored,’’ Mrs Dalton said. 

“Not having an ambulance station is putting lives at risk. It’s only a matter of time before someone dies.

“This cost of an ambulance station is Tocumwal is nothing compared to all the money this government wastes in Sydney.

“I won’t give up on this,”she said.

The  Southern Riverina News sent questions to Minister Hazzard’s office asking if the Government would reconsider investing in a Tocumwal Ambulance Station, and why Tocumwal continues to be left out of funding schemes.

The  Southern Riverina News received a reply from a Health Infrastructure spokesperson who said:

‘‘Decisions on refurbishing ambulance stations such as Lockhart are made on advice which takes into account an up-to-date assessment of the current condition of the station, the anticipated future  needs of the community and how the physical work environment condition of this station compares to the conditions of other ambulance stations across NSW.

‘‘A range of criteria are also considered by NSW Ambulance when planning its services to ensure optimal response times for patients throughout the state.

‘‘In Tocumwal, the NSW Ambulance Community First Responder (CFR) program operates in partnership with Fire and Rescue NSW, which is supported by the nearby ambulance stations at Finley and Berrigan. Community First Responders are dispatched to an emergency by NSW Ambulance to provide urgent advanced first aid and defibrillation prior to the arrival of paramedics.

‘‘In 2020-21, the NSW Government is investing more than $1 billion in services and capital works for NSW Ambulance,’’ the spokesperson said.