Paramedic and community heroes recognised

More than 30 NSW Ambulance staff and members of the community have been recognised for their incredible acts of courage during a serious medical emergency.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dominic Morgan for an awards ceremony at the new Bankstown Superstation, officially opened today.

The awards recognise a range of highly deserving finalists including paramedics, Triple 000 call takers, dispatchers, volunteers, doctors, nurses and members of the public.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the state’s incredibly hardworking NSW Ambulance staff – including the paramedics, Triple Zero (000) call takers, dispatchers, helicopter response teams, flight nurses and volunteers – for the absolutely vital role they all play in saving lives, every day of the year,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Often paramedics don’t know what happens to a patient after they’ve been treated and safely transferred into the hands of staff at the emergency department, so hearing messages of support from across the community means a lot.”

Commissioner Morgan presented the NSW Health Minister’s Annual Bursary for Excellence to Sam Immens for hard work and dedication over many years.

“The Bursary for Excellence acknowledges the professionalism, dedication and clinical skills of an operational staff member who has shown exemplary courtesy, kindness, understanding, compassion, courage and devotion to duty,” Mr Morgan said.

Ms Berejiklian also opened the Bankstown Superstation, which is part of the NSW Government’s record investment in ambulance infrastructure.

Home to 150 staff, Bankstown Superstation has capacity for 30 ambulance vehicles and will be supported by a new Paramedic Response Point at Condell Park.

“Our record $1 billion investment in ambulance services and infrastructure is supporting paramedics across the State to deliver world-class emergency care to patients,” Ms Berejiklian said.

In this year’s budget, the NSW Government committed to a record paramedic workforce boost, delivering an extra 750 paramedics and ambulance call centre staff over the next four years.