The Andrews Labor Government has fast tracked a new paramedic team in Craigieburn and a new vehicle as part of its record $500 million plan to cut ambulance response times and employ 450 new paramedics across the state.

Member for Yuroke, Ros Spence today announced that 14 extra full-time equivalent paramedics and a new additional ambulance vehicle were hitting the road in Craigieburn this week.

The new ambulance vehicle and additional paramedics are based at the existing Craigieburn branch but will be eventually based at a new, additional Craigieburn branch.

The new purpose-built Craigieburn branch will feature a drive in-and-out garage bay for vehicles, rest and recline areas, training rooms, bedrooms, modern amenities and fully-fitted out kitchen. Site identification is currently underway with construction due to be completed in 2018.

This investment means that paramedics and volunteer first responders have the extra resources they need to respond even faster to life-threatening medical emergencies and save more lives.

We’re rebuilding our ambulance system after four years of crisis and neglect under the Liberals with the biggest ever investment in Victoria’s ambulance services.

The Labor Government’s $500 million investment to improve response times will employ 450 more paramedics, buy new vehicles and build new ambulance stations across the state. This includes establishing six new super response centres, building new and upgraded stations and creating new services in regional communities.

Our record funding boost comes on top of the $144 million provided in the Victorian Budget 2016/17.

After two years of investing in and reforming the ambulance system, more and more ambulances are arriving at emergencies sooner with Code 1 average response times the quickest they have been in five years.