LOGAN MP Linus Power has said “it just isn’t acceptable” for an elderly man to wait two-and-a-half hours for an ambulance.
This comes after neighbours and motorists came to the aid of a 67-year-old Flagstone man after he fell on the kerb and fractured his hip at 10.15am on February 29 before paramedics arrived at 12.45pm.
“As soon as I heard about the elderly gentleman’s fall and painful wait I was requesting further information from Health and Ambulance Minister Steven Miles’s office,” he said.
“I’m pleased that a senior officer of the Ambulance Service took the time to visit and apologise to the elderly gentleman in Hospital.
“I know our Ambulance officers feel bad whenever anyone has to wait longer than is necessary and that is why a full review of the circumstances is under way.”
Queensland Ambulance Service Deputy Commissioner Craig Emery said four ambulances were dispatched to the Red Cedar Crescent address but were diverted to other high priority emergencies.
“That said, had we known all the circumstances we should have dealt with that differently. We don’t make any excuses,” he said.
- READ MORE: Push for ambulance station at Yarrabilba
- READ MORE: Ambulance station a go
- READ MORE: Elderly man waits more than two hours
More than 440 residents have rallied behind a petition calling for more ambulance crews in the Jimboomba area.
Mr Power pointed to an election commitment for a $4 million 24-hour ambulance station to be constructed in 2019, which he said would relieve pressure on surrounding stations.
“We have also recently started planning the construction of a new 24-hour ambulance station at Yarrabilba, to further boost ambulance resources for the communities living in this growing area,” he said.
“Construction is expected to start next year and the station will be home to 17 ambulance officers.
“The new station will relive the load on Logan West Station and Jimboomba Station and will have 17 officers and be staffed 24 hours.”
“The Palaszczuk Government has also funded over 78 additional paramedics over the past three years in the south east Queensland western corridor region, that includes Jimboomba. Many of these would have at times have done pickups in Jimboomba and surrounds.”
Mr Power said he requested to be provided with results from the QAS review into the incident and provide more information when available.
