Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson, has called for urgent action by the NSW Labor Government following the overnight closure of the Evans Head Ambulance Station.
The closure, on October 10, has raised serious concerns about public safety, particularly in regional and rural communities like Evans Head, where ambulance services are crucial.
A Notice of Motion presented in the NSW Legislative Assembly on Tuesday by Mr Williamson acknowledges the essential role of NSW paramedics and condemns the NSW Labor Government for its failure to maintain adequate staffing levels, putting lives at risk.
“Paramedics are the backbone of healthcare, especially in regional areas like the Richmond and Clarence Valleys,” Mr Williamson said.
“It’s unacceptable that the Evans Head Ambulance Station was closed overnight, leaving our community vulnerable and without vital emergency services.”
Mr Williamson’s motion was prompted by concerns raised with him by the Health Services Union (HSU) and local paramedics, who have long warned about gaps between the government’s public commitments and the reality paramedics face every day.
The HSU reported that despite government promises of additional paramedic positions, ambulance stations across the North Coast, including Evans Head and Mullumbimby, were left understaffed on the night of October 10, leading to dangerous delays in response times.
“Not only in Evans Head but across regional NSW, communities are being left without the paramedic care they’ve been promised. The government’s failure to properly support our paramedics is creating serious risks, especially in rural and remote areas where response times are already critical,” Mr Williamson added.
The motion also calls on the government to address widespread issues affecting paramedics, including outdated rosters and the failure to maintain on-call paramedics closer to home, as highlighted by the HSU.
“I am standing with our local paramedics and communities across regional NSW who deserve better. I will continue to push for greater investment in our healthcare system and for the Government to deliver on its commitments,” Mr Williamson concluded.
