Rescue team ditched
THE specialist ambulance rescue unit, based at Caringbah, has been axed, breaking a bond with the community that goes back 40 years.
Paramedics claimed yesterday the decision to transfer rescue work in Sutherland Shire to the NSW Fire Brigades from today would lead to a downgrading of services.
However, Health Minister Reba Meagher said it would free up paramedics so that they could concentrate on providing emergency patient care.
“The community can be assured there will be no compromise in rescue services for people who need help,” she added.
The Ambulance Service’s first rescue unit was established at Rockdale in the 1960s after a community campaign led by former 2UE broadcaster Garry O’Callaghan, and moved to Caringbah, next to Sutherland Hospital, a few years later.
It is one of eight units scrapped in what the Health Services Union has called “a last minute, ill thought out and dangerous decision by a minister who is out of touch with everyday working ambulance officers”.
Brought to you courtesy of the NSW Labor government. If you want more of this in the shire then feel free to vote Labor on September 13. The NSW Labor government has wrecked the state, do not let labor wreck the shire! vote 1 Darrin Hodges on September 13!