Upgraded Wallaroo Ambulance station officially open

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP is excited that the upgraded Wallaroo Ambulance Station has now been officially opened, and that the new crew of 12 career paramedics are now based there offering vital support for stretched volunteer ambulance services.

“This hard-fought major boost to regional front-line ambulance resources means for the first time ever for our region we now have SA Ambulance Service career paramedics on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, working alongside our volunteer ambos and Regional Medical Transfer Service crews”, Mr Ellis said.

“This is a major milestone and it could not have come soon enough with local volunteer ambulance services under strain attempting to keep up with rising demand for services that has come from population and tourism growth in recent years.

“This investment in the station upgrade and the additional paramedics will help to ensure response times meet demand and will make an enormous difference to ease the burden on our extraordinarily dedicated volunteers who have so well served us to this point.

“There is also the new Community Paramedic role for the Yorke Peninsula which commenced in July and is also making a huge difference to service delivery. I commend all involved in the community and via the health network who I know have been advocating for an extended period for these service improvements.

“Now the focus turns to a staffed station on the Southern Yorke Peninsula where the volunteer crews are in a perilous state”, said Mr Ellis.

The Wallaroo Ambulance Station upgrade, announced in 2022, has included a 90 square metre extension incorporating a new training room, meals area, workstation, and crew and break areas.

“Improved health services for our region remains a top priority, and I remain optimistic that the next significant services upgrade coming for our region as a result of our health petition and subsequent Parliamentary Inquiry will be a major upgrade of Wallaroo Hospital”.