Additional health worker housing will help attract paramedics to regional areas. Photo: Julia Gomina.
The NSW State Government has announced a $10 million investment in additional Key Health Worker Accommodation in a bid to attract more paramedics to regional areas.
The Key Health Worker Accommodation program is a $200 million effort to secure about 120 dwellings across regional NSW. This includes the building of new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters, and the purchase of suitable properties such as residential units.
The $10 million boost is aimed at securing additional regional housing for paramedics as the government works to bring 500 new paramedics into the workforce.
The government says the four-year program will support the recruitment and retention of more than 500 health workers and their families by providing a range of accommodation options.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the State Government was committed to investing in modern, sustainable accommodation options for key health workers who were the backbone of regional, rural and remote communities.
“Strengthening our regional ambulance workforce is a key priority for our government and this $10 million investment in accommodation will support attraction of paramedics to the regions,” he said.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said providing modern, sustainable and secure staff accommodation in regional, rural and remote locations would help to attract and retain paramedics.
“This $10 million boost to accommodation for our paramedic workforce follows the rollout of an additional 500 paramedics for regional and rural NSW and will support NSW Ambulance staff who take on these positions,” she said.
Health Services Union NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes welcomed the move.
“The housing crisis can become a healthcare crisis for rural and regional towns if we can’t provide safe and secure housing for essential workers, so we welcome more accommodation for our hardworking paramedics,” he said.
“Paramedics are invaluable to regional and rural towns. They deserve to be supported to care for people in those areas. Removing the stress of finding safe, secure and affordable housing is a big part of recognising the value of these essential workers.”
