Margaret River welcomes new paramedics
Additional St John WA paramedics have been deployed to regional areas across Western Australia as part of the McGowan Government’s plan to boost ambulance response capabilities in the bush.
Margaret River is one of the latest regions to welcome new team members, with the sub centre converting to a hybrid model in November.
For 88 years, the Margaret River community has been cared for by incredible St John WA volunteers and this will remain an important part of Margaret River, but now the town and surrounding area will have 24/7 paramedic coverage.
Ambulances will continue to be serviced in the South West region, and St John WA will continue to support local Margaret River businesses at every opportunity.
Extra regional paramedics were funded in the modernised contract with St John WA, which came into effect on January 1, 2023, boosting the number of paid paramedics in the bush by almost 31 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
Margaret River will now each be home to 4 FTE career paramedics – station manager Adam Owen, along with Wendy Blackman, Jon Flockton, and Caryl Smith, bringing more than 70 years of clinical knowledge to Margaret River.
The locations and number of new paramedics allocated regionally has been determined in consultation with St John WA and the Department of Health based on demand and need.
“The McGowan Government is working to ensure our ambulance services meets the need of our regional communities,” Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said.
“We have collaborated with St John WA and the WA Country Health Service to identify communities that require additional support and I am pleased that these paramedics will now begin deployment.
“This will represent a 25 per cent increase in the number of paid paramedics in the regions since we commenced contract negotiations with St John WA last year.”
“This investment builds on existing paramedic capability in country WA – including the highly-valued network of volunteers who do an extraordinary job.”
Ambulance costs and Country Benefit Fund charges have commenced at a hybrid model rates from November 13.
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