Estimates Replies

Volunteer Ambulance Training

In reply to Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (24 July 2015). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries):

1. The 2015-16 budget for volunteer clinical education is $3.747 million. This includes direct training costs for new recruits, staff costs to develop and maintain curriculum required by national standards and regular training at station level supported by paid regional team leaders and specialist regional educators, including manual handling training, Chemical, Biological and Radiological training, and driver training.

2. SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) has considered using Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers as first-responders. However, this is a complex matter involving competing priorities in emergency situations for which SAAS and CFS volunteers have distinctly different responsibilities. Working through these competing priorities would need considerable consultation and planning. Inter-CAD is a multiple response system where the original call-taking agency (SAAS, SA Police or Metropolitan Fire Service) can automatically notify other agencies of an incident which they may be required to respond to. Agencies then dispatch their own resources according to individual protocol.

3. In 2015-16 SAAS capital programs have made a contribution toward a $15.5 million stretcher replacement program. The new powered stretchers will reduce manual handling injuries experienced by paramedics and volunteer ambulance officers, and provide increased patient safety. The capital budget for volunteer ambulance stations for 2015-16 is $0.188 million. SAAS has reviewed volunteer ambulance station projects for 2015-16 in order to manage the change. None of the projects affected will impact on service delivery. The budget expenditure for volunteer ambulance stations will revert to pre-contribution levels at the conclusion of this funding arrangement in 2018-19 ($2.498 million).