Berrigan Shire Mayor Julia Cornwell-McKean with Aileen Phelan from Tocumwal Local Health Advisory Committee opening the new GP clinic in Tocumwal recently.
The delivery of over two dozen paramedics across the Southern Riverina has been criticised by advocates who are concerned the emergency care situation in Tocumwal is “a disaster waiting to happen”.
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On March 25, the NSW Government announced the delivery of 25 paramedics across the Murrumbidgee Zone.
Of that number, 15 will be based in Deniliquin, while 10 will operate out of Albury.
The announcement also noted 30 new ambulance stations will be delivered across rural and regional areas of the state as part of the NSW Governmnt’s Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Program.
While some have welcomed the announcement, others, including Berrigan Shire Mayor Julia Cornwell-McKean, have drawn attention to the lack of services going to Tocumwal.
Cr Cornwell-McKean wrote to the NSW Regional Health Minister Ryan Park earlier this month to outline her disappointment that Tocumwal was excluded from the recent announcement.
In her letter, she reiterated calls for the NSW Government to install an ambulance station in Tocumwal, and wrote that she was “deeply troubled” by the news that Tocumwal was excluded also from the government’s decision to expand the number of ambulance stations across the state.
“While we understand that it may be appropriate for Berrigan Shire residents to rely on the Victorian health system, we call on the NSW Government to increase its awareness of our needs and to be active in advocating for us,” Cr Cornwell-McKean said.
“It is not, after all, the job of the Victorian Government to advocate for us. Ambulance services in Tocumwal, however, fall fairly and squarely within the remit of the NSW health department and frankly fall short. We have a growing population and the lack of an ambulance station is a real problem.
“This is a disaster waiting to happen. We call on Minister Park to make the call and make an ambulance station in Tocumwal happen.”
The latest expansion of emergency services is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to regional and rural areas.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Mr Park said the safety of patients was the government’s highest priority.
“The Tocumwal community can be assured that if you call 000 with a life-threatening medical emergency, NSW Ambulance will be there to respond,” the spokesperson said.
“NSW Ambulance has a network of highly mobile clinicians, including paramedics, intensive care paramedics, critical care paramedics, extended care paramedics, doctors and nurses available to respond across NSW.
Tocumwal has long lobbied for its own ambulance station.
Photo by
Bundit Minramun
“Our critical care paramedics, doctors and nurses can be quickly deployed to critically ill patients via our state-of-the-art rescue helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
“NSW Ambulance uses a well-established service planning process to identify where to locate stations and paramedics, a process which a 2024 NSW Auditor General’s report found to be comprehensive and effective.
“The Tocumwal community has an existing Community First Responder unit, which receives regular training from NSW Ambulance to help patients with immediately life-threatening conditions while paramedics are on their way.
“NSW Ambulance remains in ongoing consultation with the community to establish a Community Emergency Response Team in Tocumwal.
“Tocumwal meets the criteria and is a suitable location for a Community Emergency Response Team, which is comprised of NSW Ambulance clinical volunteers who are trained and equipped to a high standard to support paramedics.
“NSW Ambulance will continue to consult with the Berrigan Shire Council and the Tocumwal community about this and other volunteer opportunities to enhance NSW Ambulance clinical services in the community.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for NSW Ambulance said the safety of its patients was its highest priority.
“NSW Ambulance assures the Tocumwal community that if you call Triple Zero (000) with a life-threatening medical emergency, NSW Ambulance will be there to respond,” the spokesperson said.
“NSW Ambulance has a network of highly mobile clinicians, including paramedics, intensive care paramedics, critical care paramedics, extended care paramedics, doctors and nurses, available to respond across NSW.
“Our critical care paramedics, doctors and nurses can be quickly deployed to critically ill patients via our state-of-the-art rescue helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
“NSW Ambulance uses a well-established service planning process to identify where to locate stations and paramedics, a process which a 2024 NSW Auditor General’s report found to be comprehensive and effective.
“The Tocumwal community has an existing Community First Responder unit which receives regular training from NSW Ambulance to help patients with immediately life-threatening conditions while paramedics are on their way.
“NSW Ambulance remains in ongoing consultation with the community to establish a Community Emergency Response Team in Tocumwal.
“Tocumwal meets the criteria and is a suitable location for a Community Emergency Response Team, which is comprised of NSW Ambulance clinical volunteers who are trained and equipped to a high standard to support paramedics.
“We will continue to consult with the Berrigan Shire Council and the Tocumwal community about this and other volunteer opportunities to enhance NSW Ambulance clinical services in the community.”
