New temporary ambulance site opens in Sandgate, Australia

This is part of the $1.76b SWIFT program.

A new temporary ambulance site has opened in Sandgate to support additional NSW Ambulance staff in the Hunter region.

This is part of the $1.76b Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) program, which is adding 62 new paramedics to the area.

Twelve paramedics will work out of the Sandgate site while a new ambulance station is being built in Gateshead.

These paramedics started working in Newcastle last week following consultations with staff and unions. Plans are in place to add more paramedics to the region.

NSW Ambulance uses temporary sites to handle increased demand while new or refurbished stations are being developed.

“This temporary site at Sandgate will further enhance care for the Newcastle community, providing a place for paramedics to start and finish their shifts while work is underway to develop new ambulance stations across greater Newcastle,” said Regional Health Minister Ryan Park.

The NSW Government’s $615.5m Ambulance Infrastructure Program is funding 30 new ambulance stations and infrastructure across Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Hunter, and Wollongong. New stations are planned for Swansea, Gateshead, Edgeworth, Branxton, and East Maitland.

The SWIFT program will deliver 2,500 new NSW Ambulance staff, including 500 paramedics for rural and regional areas, improving emergency and mobile healthcare across the state.