The Minns Labor Government has broken its election promise to deliver 500 intensive care paramedics (ICPs) and extended care paramedics (EPCs) for regional NSW, after the Health Minister reneged on the commitment today.
During a Budget Estimates Hearing, Ryan Park failed to answer how many of the first cohort of 125 were trained in the two specialist areas, declaring 500 ECPs and ICPs are not needed.
The revelations come on the same day 50,000 nurses walked off the job across the state, affecting elective surgeries and causing massive delays for patients.
Mr Park refused to take responsibility for the impact of the rallies instead stating “everyone should be sorry for that” because “everybody has a responsibility to deliver health services” including nurses, clinicians and even cleaners.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said the response was disappointing.
“What we’ve seen today is the Health Minister making no apologies for his failure to deliver our essential workers with what they need and deserve,” Mr Saunders said.
“This is a direct consequence of Chris Minns and Ryan Park promising one thing to win people’s votes and then failing to keep their promises.
“They have failed our nurses and midwives, and they are failing the people of NSW. Our essential workers should be in our hospitals doing what they do best, not forced onto the streets because the Government has allowed the situation to get to this point.”
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh said it was a day full of broken promises.
“Not only has this Government failed to deliver the skilled professionals we need for our country communities, but it is also failing to retain the staff we already have,” Mr Singh said.
“Intensive care and extended care paramedics are specifically trained to provide life-saving care to a higher level, which is particularly important in regional NSW because our residents
travel further to reach a hospital.
“It is clear the Premier is all talk and no action when it comes to his election promises and our residents deserve better.”
