Release date: 29/06/22

The Malinauskas Labor Government will mark its 100th day in office with a record investment in the State’s ambulance fleet – supporting South Australia’s hardworking ambos and working towards addressing the ramping crisis.

There are currently more ambulance vehicles on the road or on order than the State has ever seen before, with the Government investing $36.9 million on new state-of-the-art vehicles supplied by Mercedes Benz.

184 existing ambulances that are set to reach their end of life will be replaced while 36 new ambulances will be delivered to support additional crewing, as committed to in the State Election.

This Malinauskas Labor Government is getting to work with recruitment of 350 ambos over the next four years – this latest investment will provide the ambulance service with the on-road equipment they need to respond to the community.

The new Mercedes-Benz VS30 Sprinter fleet will be reconfigured and fitted out to suit the needs of SA Ambulance Service (SAAS). The first of the new vehicles are expected to be on road by July 2022, ready for the commencement of the first new crews.

99 ambos (paramedics, ambulance officers and 000 call takers) will start by mid-next year, with the first additional 16-paramedic crew expected to start next month based at Parkside before ultimately moving to the new Norwood station.

Of the 36 new extra ambulances, 19 will go to metropolitan sites while 17 will be rolled out throughout the regions. The remaining replacement vehicles of approximately 46 each year will be allocated based on the mix of age and distance travelled.

Norwood, Mount Barker and Gawler will be among the first additional crews to receive the VS30 Sprinter allocation.

Each Mercedes-Benz VS30 Sprinter boasts improved safety features and the latest technology, including improved leather seats for infection control, a power-assisted stretcher, and Wi-Fi for ease of transmitting clinical data.

In addition to the new fleet, the Mercedes Benz contract covers the supply of spare vehicle parts to SAAS over the next eight years.

The new vehicles are on top of the many election commitments already delivered in health by the Malinauskas Labor Government, including hiring 32 graduate paramedics, beginning recruitment for specialty WCH nurses and WCH doctors, and commencing work on new Mount Barker Hospital.

These measures are part of a record $2.4 billion investment in health which includes opening more than 550 extra beds and recruiting 400 more doctors and nurses to provide capacity for our health system and better treatment for South Australians.


Quotes

Attributable to Peter Malinauskas

We have had a massive first 100 days, we are getting on with the job and delivering on our promises – and this is just the very beginning.

This is the biggest order of new ambulance fleet that South Australia has ever seen and will contribute to our hardworking ambos delivering life-saving patient outcomes.

Attributable to Chris Picton

This $36.9 million investment in our fleet, along with 350 more ambos and new and upgraded ambulance stations in locations of need, is a step towards addressing the ramping crisis.

The Malinauskas Labor Government is committed to backing ambos and giving them the resources that they need to do their job.

Attributable to SAAS chief executive officer Rob Elliott

This is a fantastic boost, delivering 36 new fleet to our service and replacing 184 vehicles as they hit end of service.

Our ambulance crews respond to 300,000-plus incidents each year, travelling more than 13 million kilometres – this investment is equipping them to get to emergencies, provide great care and if needed, safe transport.