Regional communities across NSW are to benefit from a new fleet of state-of-the-art intensive care ambulances, set to bolster frontline emergency responses.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced the move saying the new fleet of 69 intensive care ambulances would carry the most advanced equipment, including upgraded monitor defibrillators, video laryngoscopes and mechanical CPR devices.
“Every second counts in the race to save a life and these highly specialised vehicles give paramedics the best chance when transporting a patient on extended trips to a major regional hospital,” Mr Barilaro said.
He said the intensive care ambulances would be rolled out to Western NSW, Southern NSW, Northern NSW, Hunter New England and Central Coast regions as well as metropolitan areas.
Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard said the new fleet was in addition to the 35 intensive care ambulances rolled out last year.
“We will now have more than 100 of these highly specialised ambulances in NSW, the largest fleet of this type in any State or Territory in Australia,” Mr Hazzard said.
Chief Executive of NSW Ambulance, Dominic Morgan said the new equipment would make a big difference for patients suffering trauma, cardiac arrest, stroke or breathing difficulties.
Dr Morgan said the equipment also provided paramedics with greater protection when treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.
