UPDATE 3.20pm:
Acting Health Minister Pru Goward has expressed confidence in a NSW Ambulance review that was established following the death of a Hurstville man, 70, who waited more than half an hour for an ambulance,
Ms Goward was responding to an opposition call for the case to be investigated by the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, an independent body (see earlier story below).
“I extend my sympathy to the family and loved ones in this case," Ms Goward said.
“NSW Ambulance is conducting a root cause analysis investigation into its response to the 70-year-old Hurstville man.
"This is the highest level of review conducted by NSW Ambulance and I am confident it will identify any issues which need to be addressed.
“The Triple 0 call taker has been removed from duties while this investigation is undertaken.
“Any concerned person can take a complaint to the Health Care Complaints Commission."
Ms Goward said Labor's health spokesman Walt Secord "should be ashamed of using this case to peddle the Labor lie that there has been a $3 billion cut to the health system".
“The truth is that this year’s health budget has increased by $976 million, or 5.2 per cent, from last year," she said
EARLIER STORY:
The case of a Hurstville man, 70, who died after an ambulance took more than 30 minutes to arrive, should be investigated by the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, says the state Opposition.
Labor spokesman Walt Secord called on Health Minister Jillian Skinner to refer the matter to the independent body.
Fairfax Media reported on Wednesday, July 29, that NSW Ambulance had a high-level inquiry into the man’s death this month and had removed a control centre staff member temporarily from duties involving patient contact.
The Health Services Union said a shortage of paramedics and delays in hospitals were leaving Sydney dangerously exposed.
Mr Secord said an independent inquiry would determine whether the delays were because of ‘‘bed block’’ — a shortage of hospital beds which prevented ambulances unloading and moving to the next case — or whether the problem was with the radio control centre.
‘‘It is not good enough for the ambulance service to investigate itself,’’ he said.
“As each day goes by, there is a new report of the ambulance service being under enormous pressure and seems to be siding from crisis to crisis.’’
The Leader sought a response from Health Minister Jillian Skinner.
Have you had to wait long for an ambulance recently?