Oakden Ambulance Station

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (14:12): My question is to the Minister for Health. What update can you provide on the new Oakden ambulance station?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader's trying to weigh obedience with standing orders with the life or death of a person will lead to his being named if he continues down that path.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:12): I thank the member for Torrens for this question and take the opportunity to note her dedication to improving ambulance services for the growing electorate of Torrens. On 19 June, I was joined by the member for Torrens to officially open the brand-new ambulance station at Fosters Road, Oakden.

The event was attended by senior officials from SA Ambulance, fire service and police, as well as SA Ambulance staff and members of the community keen to see this fantastic new station. The Oakden station is part of the Labor government's 2014 election commitment to build three ambulance stations in the growing areas of Oakden, Seaford and Noarlunga. I am pleased to report that the Noarlunga station is fast reaching completion, while the design stage of the Seaford station is well advanced after taking a little longer to find a suitable site. Members will know the background to that.

The new Oakden station features a five-bay, drive-through garage, backup generator and staff facilities, including state-of-the-art training facilities and open-air offices. The station began operating in April with a day shift and an afternoon shift and, in great news for the north-eastern community, I can report that on 2 July the Oakden station began operating 24/7 with eight dedicated paramedics on the shift roster. This enables people in the suburbs of Oakden, Northgate, Hillcrest, Greenacres, Windsor Gardens and Lightsview to be seen sooner in an emergency, whatever time of night or day.

This $3.6 million investment once again shows the commitment of the government to ensuring all South Australians have access to a well-resourced and responsive ambulance service. The new Oakden station will complement the government's significant investment into our state's ambulance service through Transforming Health.

The state government is dedicated to delivering the best possible health care to the community but, of course, this couldn't be achieved without the hard work of our dedicated paramedics and support staff. I put on record my thanks to all the staff of SA Ambulance Service, from those who take the calls and coordinate resources to our frontline paramedics who provide lifesaving treatment to our friends and loved ones every day.

An honourable member: Including volunteers.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Including volunteers.