He said studying to become a paramedic practitioner would be free via government provided scholarships.
The government faces growing pressure over the health system. Soaring inflation and the withdrawal of billions of dollars of emergency COVID funding could slash Victoria’s health budget by more than 13 per cent in real terms this financial year,as doctors warn of worse outcomes for patients at a time of continued record-breaking demand.
Andrews made the announcement in Wonthaggi,in the Gippsland electorate of Bass,a seat Labor is desperate to hold,having snatched it from the Liberal Party at the 2018 election with a margin of just 2.4 per cent. New electoral boundaries announced by the Victorian Electoral Commission has pushed the seat marginally back into Liberal territory.
Andrews also announced a re-elected Labor government would spend up to $290 million on a major redevelopment of the Wonthaggi Hospital to deliver extra beds,a new birthing complex and a new outpatient clinic.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy,who is also campaigning on health,on Thursday announced the Coalition would invest $60 million to upgrade the Mansfield District Hospital if elected.
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Australasian College of Emergency Medicine Victorian chair Dr Belinda Hibble said she looked forward to learning more about the paramedic program and how it would alleviate pressure in emergency departments.
“On Sunday,the college outlined evidence-based solutions for the dangerous systemic issues in the Victorian health system that lead to ambulance ramping,overly long waits for care,adverse outcomes – including avoidable deaths – and decreased safety for patients,carers and staff,” Hibble said.
“These solutions include at least 1000 fully staffed ED[emergency department]-accessible hospital beds across Victoria,appropriately trained 24/7 security guards posted at every Victorian ED and an increase in non-clinical staff such as cleaners,patient support assistants and clerical workers.”
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Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said the use of paramedic practitioners would mean Victoria would have the best trained paramedics in Australia and possibly the world. He said their use would relieve strain on the system.
“The normal paramedic crew would have to transfer their patient into an emergency department,which is often busy,and they might be adding to the strain on the system,and it’s not the best thing for the patient ... particularly an elderly patient who wants to stay in their own bed,” Hill said.
Michael Whelan,mayor of Bass Coast Shire,which takes in Wonthaggi,said he welcomed any additional service that would help alleviate the pressure on Bass Coast Health.
“I know for a fact that Bass Coast Health has the same pandemic pressures as the other hospitals,” he said. “It is a massive issue for them.”
Whelan said the health service was managing well under the strain,but the council supported any additional help that could be provided.
The population of Bass Coast,which also includes Phillip Island,has grown markedly since the pandemic,putting greater demands on services including health.
With Benjamin Preiss
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