THE state government has unveiled the designs for the new state-of-the-art Beechworth Ambulance Station in the wake of Indigo Shire’s declining paramedic response times to urgent incidents within the statewide benchmark of 15 minutes.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne revealed the designs on Wednesday for the multi-million-dollar branch, which will replace the current station situated on Frederick Street.
The state-of-the-art two-storey facility will feature a three-bay ambulance garage, two rest and recline areas, a kitchen, training room, longer-term accommodation and secure staff car parking for paramedics.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said it was fantastic that hardworking Beechworth paramedics will have a new fit-for-purpose base to call home in the near future.
“The people of Beechworth know just how important emergency crews are in times of crisis,” she said.
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To ensure there is no disruption to emergency services while the new station is being built, local paramedics will temporarily operate from the former medical centre on Warner Road.
While a construction date was not confirmed, a state government spokesperson said a start on the build was imminent and would get underway once the existing station is demolished.
Once complete, this brand new ambulance branch will support more paramedics already on the road in Beechworth to help meet growing demand in the region.
Coincidentally, the announcement came as new quarterly Ambulance Victoria response time data showed the Indigo Shire as one of the worst performing areas in the state in responding to urgent emergency within the benchmark of 15 minutes.
From 1 January to 31 March this year, just 21.8 per cent of the shire’s 170 urgent emergency incidents were reached within the 15-minute time frame, averaging 23 minutes and 43 seconds upon arrival.
The shire’s average response time dropped by 53 seconds compared to the previous quarter, but Indigo was the only shire in the state along with the Towong Shire (23.1pc) to have responses within 15 minutes fall below a 25 per cent rate.
Ambulance Victoria aims to respond to 85 per cent of urgent code one incidents within 15 minutes.
Hume regional director, Narelle Capp, said there was more work to do to improve on response times.
“We continue to work with our partners to ensure our paramedics and first responders are dispatched to the right patient at the right time, and that our patients are connected with the right care to meet their needs,” she said.
“Our expert triage service of nurses and paramedics also make a real difference by connecting patients with the care they need while helping free up crews for patients in time-critical emergencies.
“From January to March, 43,858 people who did not need an emergency ambulance were instead connected to more appropriate care by paramedics and nurses in triage services.”
The new Beechworth Ambulance Branch is being delivered as part of the state government’s ongoing investment in ambulance infrastructure, with more than $280 million committed since 2015 to upgrade and rebuild branches across the state.
