SORELL will soon have a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week ambulance service following a significant increase in call outs.
This month’s State Budget will deliver funding for the career station with fully qualified paramedic crews.
In the last 12 months, the Sorell Ambulance Station has experienced a significant increase in demand responding to 1187 incidents in the local area.
Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said with the growing population of Sorell and the surrounding areas, the demands on the local ambulance resources were predicted to increase.
“This investment, to be funded in the 2022-23 Budget, will accommodate the expected increase in demand and deliver four new additional full-time paramedics for the Sorell region, ensuring the community has the health services it needs for the future,’’ Mr Rockliff said.
“In addition to the eight newly announced positions located between Huonville and Sorell, we will also be recruiting three more full-time paramedics to assist in providing leave coverage across these stations and others such as Kingston and Dodges Ferry, where necessary.’’
At last year’s state election an additional 48 paramedics were promised across the state.
Mr Rockliff said 44 of those were now filled, and the remaining positions were being actively recruited.
“We have also provided $9 million to upgrade our ambulance fleet and deliver contemporary equipment our paramedics need, which will deliver 30 new ambulance vehicles in this financial year alone.
“These new vehicles will be equipped with best-practice systems and the build and fit-out will be completed right here in Tasmania.
“I also want to acknowledge and thank the hardworking volunteer ambulance officers in Sorell who support their local community.” Meanwhile a recruitment drive is underway to attract personnel for Sorell’s new Emergency Services Hub, adjacent to Council Chambers.
The hub will house Tasmanian Fire Service, State Emergency Service and Police.
The $12 million project is due for completion early next year. Police and Emergency Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma said it would be the first hub of its kind in Tasmania.
“Both the TFS and SES are looking for new volunteers who live or work in Sorell and surrounds,’’ she said.
Anyone interested in becoming a TFS or SES volunteer at Sorell should contact the recruitment team at sorell. hub@dpfem.tas.gov.au