A SOUTH East doctor has launched a petition in a bid to save a country health service which he claims reduces hospital admissions and eases pressure on regional hospitals.
Robe-based general practitioner Dr David Senior is calling on the State Government to continue funding the Community Paramedic program, which provides medical services across the Limestone
Coast.
According to Dr Senior, the State Government provided the state’s ambulance service funding over four years to develop a pilot and trial a community paramedic program to boost locally-driven health service delivery and improve regional health.
A full-time paramedic is on duty at all times, with two paramedics rostered on alternate weeks to provide highly skilled generalist services.
Dr Senior said the program provided a range of benefits to local medical practitioners, the health system and the wider community though the paramedic providing back-up services for different allied health roles.
He added the program was of significant benefit to the region as they were able to act as a “force multiplier” in serious situations.
“If there is an emergency, the community paramedic can assess the situation and then report the findings to me,” he said.
“They can be 50km away and discuss the case by phone and develop an action plan.
“This results in faster access to care for the patients and earlier and accurate diagnosis.”
Dr Senior said the service also assisted individuals staying in their own homes through visits from community paramedics and a range of educational services.
“The paramedics provide management of chronic diseases at home and often check up on elderly patients who would otherwise be in a nursing home,” he said.
“They also use lock-up boxes containing patients’ drugs where they go to their house and ensure they are given the correct dose.
“There is no way that will continue if we lose the Community Paramedic program and those people will end up in an aged care facility.”
In a statement, SA Ambulance Service interim chief executive David Place said the department was exploring the long-term future of the model with a number of partners.
The State Government did not respond to a question on whether the model would be decided on ahead of the scheduled cessation of funding.
Labor Legislative Council deputy leader Clare Scriven called on the State Government to immediately reinstate the funding and extend the service.
“Before the election, the Marshall Liberal Government promised no cuts to health and that ‘regions matter’, but this decision shows they were just empty election promises which they never intended to keep,” she said.
“Health Minister Stephen Wade also said he wants to keep people out of hospital, yet he is cutting services that help do just that.”
