Health Services Union pushing for urgent improvements to ambulance radio and GPS

The radio network currently suffers serious blackspots across swathes of regional NSW, particularly the Snowy Mountain region, the Riverina and the Central West.

Areas in the Central West affected by blackspots include Trunkey Creek, Boorowa, Cowra and other areas south east of Orange and Blayney.

Additionally, paramedics in urban areas continue to encounter problems whenever the GPS system lacks an uninterrupted view of the sky, particularly in built-up laneways prevalent in metropolitan areas.

The HSU on Friday sought assurances from the New South Wales ambulance that paramedics will be able to work both safely and effectively as the December deadline for the closure of the 2G network looms.

“The current GPS and radio contact system for paramedics is already patchy without the new layer of uncertainty that will come with the closure of Telstra’s 2G network,” Steve Fraser, HSU sub-branch president and serving paramedic said.

“Until we have certainty that GPS and radio dropouts are resolved, we would like the government to agree to regularly page paramedic units when they drop out of contact.

“Every day paramedics risk their wellbeing to protect the health of the public. The NSW Government ought to take a proactive approach so that we can do our job safely and effectively.”

The Government has indicated it will provide $9.5 million to have an interim solution in place ahead of the closure of the 2G network.

The union has also won assurances that a further $40 million will be spent to improve paramedic radio coverage and contact over the longer term.

“The HSU intends to hold the Government to its commitment and also raise the alarm if there are implementation problems,” Mr Fraser said.

“The health and safety of both the general public and paramedic workforce must not be compromised.”