Welcome release of Rural SA Ambulance Service Workforce Plan 2020-25

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP has welcomed last Thursday’s release of the Rural SA Ambulance Service Workforce Plan 2020-25 as part of South Australia’s Rural Health Workforce Strategy.

“This is important work essential to ensuring country ambulance services are secure and available across rural areas, and that the paid and volunteer workforces required to deliver these vital services are sustainable,” Mr Ellis said.

“Maintaining and improving rural health services is a priority policy area of mine, and as such I am in regular contact with Minister for Health Stephen Wade MLC on a myriad of topics relating to local health services -- from facility upgrades and the need for service expansions such as after-hours x ray provision or more stoma therapy nurses, to staff, GP and specialist recruitment issues.

“Earlier this year, SA Ambulance volunteer recruitment processes and wait times for applicants seeking to volunteer their time as a volunteer ambulance officer in the electorate were concerns brought to me by local ambulance leaders for which I have collaborated with Minister Wade to reach outcomes.

“Strategies in the Rural SA Ambulance Service Workforce Plan released include revised models for emergency care, streamlined training opportunities, consideration for seasonal volunteers in high tourism areas, and ways to attract and retain local people.

“An example of actions being considered is potential for converting a Certificate IV in Health Care (Ambulance) course to a South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) subject to attract young people into the SAAS and in so doing for them to gain extra SACE points. Another is potential development of dual degrees combining nursing or allied health qualifications with paramedicine.

“I am proud to be a part of the Marshall Liberal Government which has committed $20 million to develop and implement a specific Rural Health Workforce Strategy that incorporates workforce planning for specific professions such as the plan released on 6 August.

“It is vital that regional South Australians continue to receive high quality and safe ambulance care”.