Pay paramedics tribute next week

RESIDENTS have been encouraged to take the opportunity during Ambulance Week, September 6 to 10, to recognise the life saving efforts of paramedics in the local area and across the state.

Member for Mt Ommaney, Julie Attwood, said every day the professional and highly-trained paramedics of the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) saved lives and attended to all types of medical emergencies.

“I am sure those people who encounter an ambulance officer because of an injury or illness are thankful for their assistance, but Ambulance Week is an opportunity for the entire community to recognise the effort of our ‘ambos' and to give them an extra pat on the back,” she said.

Mrs Attwood said there were more than 3100 paramedics working across the state, including 983 in the Brisbane region.

They are supported by a team of support staff within the Queensland Ambulance Service that help paramedics deliver services on the frontline.

“Queenslanders have every reason to have confidence in their ambulance service. It is one of the best, if not the best, ambulance service operating in Australia,” Mrs Attwood said.

“Our paramedics respond to about 750,000 incidents every year, which equates to about one response every 42 seconds.

“In 2008-09, the QAS responded to 50 per cent of Code 1 life-threatening incidents in 8.4 minutes, almost two minutes faster that the New South Wales Ambulance Service. Ninety percent of Code 1 incidents were attended within 17.2 minutes.

“In 2009-10, despite a seven per cent increase in the number of Code 1 incidents, response times fell to 8.1 minutes for the 50th percentile and 16.4 minutes for the 90th percentile.

“Queensland paramedics are also world-leaders in the use of new technology and medical enhancements such as new medicines for pain relief.

“Our paramedics do a great job, often going above and beyond the call of duty in their commitment to helping Queenslanders in need.

“They deserve our thanks and recognition and Ambulance Week is the perfect opportunity.”