Macquarie Fields MP Anoulack Chanthivong says lives will be at risk if the State Liberal Government fails to increase the number of paramedics at Macquarie Fields ambulance station after more than 10 years of a staffing freeze. 

The shocking revelation comes after Mr Chanthivong met with Health Services Union delegates at Macquarie Fields ambulance station today to discuss the issue and put pressure on the Liberal Government to raise minimal staffing levels urgently.

Alarmingly, rostered shifts in the area are often left empty to fill gaps at new ambulance ‘superstations’. The move has reignited fears that the Macquarie Fields ambulance station could be downgraded. 

“No change to paramedic numbers at Macquarie Fields Station in 10 years, yet the Liberal Government continues to dump on my electorate unprecedented growth, higher densities and out of control development.

“This is completely unacceptable in one of the fastest growing areas of Sydney. Saving lives is not negotiable.

“Not only is the Liberal Government’s development agenda out of control in my local area, the Liberal Government is also hell-bent on cutting local services.”

Mr Chanthivong has expressed his concerns in a letter to the Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard. In his letter, Mr Chanthivong calls for an urgent increase in the number of paramedics at Macquarie Fields ambulance station as part of the Government’s rollout of 700 new paramedics in NSW over the next four years. 

“How many of the 700 new paramedics for NSW Ambulance will be stationed at Macquarie Fields? With our community continuing to grow, the Macquarie Fields ambulance station requires more staff and resources – not less. Paramedics at Macquarie Fields ambulance station must be made a priority.

“The Liberal Government’s failure to raise minimal staffing levels at Macquarie Fields ambulance station for more than 10 years, at a time of unprecedented growth, is appalling.  Resources are so stretched that paramedics are being called on to plug other holes in the system throughout the Sydney network, which means longer response times in an emergency and puts people’s lives at risk,” Mr Chanthivong added.

In another move to anger the State MP, a new ambulance station is set to be opened in Mona Vale on Sydney’s northern beaches – less than four kilometres from an existing ambulance station in Naremburn.

“Yet again the Liberal Government puts the needs of south west Sydney at the bottom of the heap. This is the same Government that closed the Ingleburn and Campbelltown motor registry offices, removed the life-saving Bronto fire truck at St Andrews and has repeatedly failed to deliver a lift at Macquarie Fields Station or more commuter car parking.

“Our community deserves better and all we want is our fair share.”