volunteer drivers.

Members of the Merriwa District Progress Association (MDPA) discussed the issue and voiced their concern at a meeting last Wednesday.

Merriwa District Progress Association president Kim Fenley said ambulances in other areas had two qualified ambulance officers on duty at a time and the introduction of volunteers would deliver a sub-standard service.

Mr Fenley said the association had been corresponding with the Ambulance Service in an attempt to find out exactly what plans the service had for the

township.

Mr Fenley said the association received a letter from the Ambulance Service that said providing high quality health care in an environment of a declining and ageing population was an ongoing challenge.

“As a consequence, the Ambulance Service has been investing in alternate models of care and one model is designed to strengthen and foster the long

traditions of partnership between communities and volunteers and the ambulance,” the letter said.

However, Mr Fenley said the response did not take account of the increased traffic, especially heavy transport, on the Golden Highway between Newcastle and Dubbo.

“It also disregards the load placed on one paramedic attending a multi-vehicle or single vehicle accident with multiple passengers, when there is only an unqualified volunteer driver to assist,” he said.

“The paramedic has to take into account the safety of all the casualties, the volunteer and him or

herself.”

“You need two fully trained ambulance officers to handle certain emergencies properly without putting people’s lives at risk.”

NSW Member for Upper Hunter George Souris said the proposal was an abrogation of the State Government’s responsibility to properly provide basic services; in this case proper ambulance

services.

“Volunteer drivers is a cheap and nasty substitute for a Government failing to fulfill its obligations,” Mr Souris said.

“We are not second class citizens in the Upper Hunter and it is up to the Government to provide an equitable access to health and ambulance services for all.”

On Tuesday, Mr Arneman said he did not know what level of training would be provided for volunteer drivers.

“They have not submitted any detail what so ever,” he said.

However, Mr Arneman said he believed local retained fire fighters had been approached by the Ambulance Service but they declined to take on the role of volunteer drivers.

Mr Arneman questioned using other service personnel as police, fire, ambulance, SES and VRA can all be called out to the same emergency such as a car accident or a house fire.

“Where would their loyalties lie?” Mr Arneman said.

He also questioned what sacrifices could be expected from a

volunteer.

“If you haven’t got a permanent officer, you can’t by definition say to a volunteer that you cannot go anywhere for the next six weeks,” he said.

The single officer crew dispute is being addressed by the NSW Industrial Commission who will consider evidence from the NSW Ambulance Service and from the union.