Page 244 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 1991
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The on-duty Supervising Officer advised the doctor that the service's procedure was not to transport patients to Sydney by road but the preferred mode of transport was the NSW Air Ambulance Service. The Supervising Officer offered to arrange co-ordination of the NSW Air Ambulance Service. The ACT Ambulance Service has reciprocal arrangements with the NSW Ambulance Service which includes the New South Wales Air Ambulance Service.
The doctor rejected the advice and indicated he would advise the patient's parents to arrange transport to Sydney in a private vehicle.
That is a very different sort of situation from what Mr Berry was alluding to. As Mr Humphries has said, this Government has made a number of improvements to the Ambulance Service, one in fact being to increase the staff by seven - up to 69 from 62. That is about a 12 per cent increase. Mr Humphries has also explained the situation in relation to four ambulances being available. Mr Berry, a couple of constituents saw me when you were Minister, complaining about waiting a long period of time on two respective occasions - because there were two different constituents - in relation to ambulances that were then under your control.
One of those constituents raised the problem of sometimes there not being even four ambulances in service. He suggested that perhaps another ambulance should be bought as a reserve, but went on to say that - he had done a bit of homework - quite often he had heard that there were not even four ambulances in service then. In his case - he was a pensioner, and his wife also was a pensioner, and she needed an ambulance - she would have to wait a considerable period of time for an ambulance. Another constituent had a similar problem, so it appears - - -
Mr Berry: Priority one?
MR STEFANIAK: I cannot recall what priority they were, Wayne, but both patients certainly needed an ambulance. I think they were both ladies involved, and they in fact had to go to hospital. So there were problems there. As it turned out, although the ambulances were late, no serious damage was done; but they were bringing it to my attention and I have certainly brought that to your attention. But it is indicative to note that some of these problems that you are now throwing at our Minister, Mr Humphries, were well and truly there during your administration. In fact, I have certainly had no complaints from any constituents about the Ambulance Service under the tutelage and directorship of Mr Humphries, whereas I had two complaints in the seven months that you were the Minister.
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