The increase will bring the number of paramedics servicing the local area to 25.
It will also see the Deniliquin station transition to a 24-hour manned station.
This transition is part of a long-held Ambulance NSW goal to remove on-call staffing arrangements across the state.
The new paramedics also brings the NSW Government closer to delivering on its Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) Program, to deliver 2500 additional NSW Ambulance staff, including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas, and 30 new ambulance stations.
Deniliquin station officer and paramedic Michael Everitt said the additional paramedics and shift changes would help to alleviate work pressure on existing paramedics, while increasing medical response for the community.
“The additional paramedics will allow us to change our roster model,” Mr Everitt said.
“Currently, we’ve had two shifts - a day shift and an afternoon shift - with day shift paramedics responsible for being on call between midnight and 8am before their next shift.
“The new paramedics takes the number of paramedics in Deni up to 25, and means our shifts will now be 6am to 6pm, 11am to 11pm and 6pm to 6am.
“Extra crews means extra coverage.”
Mr Everitt said the new paramedics are expected to arrive in Deniliquin on April 8.
He said each has been sourced from metropolitan-based stations, and would complete two days of induction training specific to being a paramedic in rural areas.
The station will transition to the new roster from April 12, which is when the new paramedics officially start their rosters.
“We’ve been very lucky in Deniliquin with paramedics, with the station at full capacity, or near full capacity, in my 16 years here.
“The average years of experience is nine years at Deniliquin, so we have some experienced staff to help the new paramedics settle in.”
Mr Everitt said the transition to this 24 hour roster brings Deniliquin’s station in line with other stations in the state.
“There was a commitment six or seven years ago to get rid of the on-call system, to reduce fatigue and to provide a better work-life balance for paramedics.
“This change to the model in on call areas started with the larger centres, and then to others identified as areas of need like Temora and Young, and now Deni is the next cog in the chain.
“More stations will transfer to this new model over the next 12 months.”
NSW Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the new starters in the Murrumbidgee Zone - which also includes 10 new paramedics for Albury, seven for Temora, 10 for Wagga and 16 for Young - are among an additional 125 paramedics set to begin working across regional NSW within the next few months.
“We promised the people of regional, rural and remote New South Wales we’d deliver them 500 new paramedics, and I am really proud that the second cohort is about to hit the road and take up new roles in the bush.
“These highly skilled paramedics will help drive better health outcomes for patients and their families, ensuring regional communities receive the same high-quality care as metropolitan areas.
“We are committed to investing in our frontline healthcare workforce to support our paramedics and provide better emergency services to the people of New South Wales.”
NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton welcomed the announcement, saying Deniliquin and surrounding districts in the Murray electorate are “in desperate need of highly skilled first responders”.
“These 15 new recruits (in Deniliquin) is a great start to addressing frontline essential workers staffing and recruitment shortfalls in the bush,” Ms Dalton said.
“Rural and remote regions deserve the same quality of medical care as our urban cousins.
“It’s reassuring to see the government committing to ensure better health outcomes for us in the bush.
“Paramedics play a critical role in rural and remote communities.
“Any boost to health care services in the bush is always welcomed, so I’m pleased to see an increase in paramedic numbers in the area.”
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