Another 27 full time community paramedics will be recruited over the next four years as part of the State’s largest ever recruitment blitz.
The Liberals’ 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future will boost Tasmania’s paramedic number by 78 new full-time positions.
Community paramedics – of which there are nine already – are fully trained specialist paramedics who are able to care for and treat Tasmanians in their own homes.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, said that these additional community paramedics will enable more Tasmanians to receive the care they need at home, reducing demand on our emergency departments.
“Tasmania was the first State in Australia to pilot the innovative community paramedic model in a nation-leading step,” Minister Barnett said.
“Since the introduction in 2022, community paramedics have treated nearly 4,000 patients across the South, North and North West.
“57% of these call outs have been successfully treated in the home, instead of being transported to an emergency department via an ambulance.
“This takes immense pressure off our EDs and ambulance services and is exactly why we have committed to expanding this vital support service.”
A group of nine new community paramedics have just completed the classroom element of their training and will start their placements this week before undertaking a period of mentoring in their allocated region.
A second course will begin in late May with seven paramedics enrolled.
“These community paramedics are set to make a significant difference in the lives of many Tasmanians and I thank them for their dedicated service,” Minister Barnett concluded.
The 27 community paramedics will be rolled out over four years and will be deployed to 13 rural and district hospitals at Smithton, King Island, Queenstown, Scottsdale, George Town, St Helens, St Marys, Campbell Town, Beaconsfield, Deloraine, Oatlands, New Norfolk and the Tasman Peninsula.
