Wagga Wagga Base Hospital has joined Mudgee Hospital’s emergency department in the Integrated Paramedic Workforce Model Pilot. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Riverina paramedics are set to offer additional clinical care as part of an innovative pilot scheme to improve patient outcomes in the region.
Wagga Wagga Base Hospital is now the second hospital in NSW, following Mudgee Hospital, to adopt the Integrated Paramedic Workforce Model Pilot. This involves paramedics working within a multidisciplinary team to care for patients at the hospital’s Rapid Access Clinic.
In the Rapid Access Clinic, paramedics will work alongside other clinical staff, including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.
The clinic was established in 2018 to help reduce waiting times at the hospital’s emergency department. Since then, its services have expanded to include diagnostics, allied health, Hospital in the Home, an infusion clinic, minor procedures, and specialist team reviews.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District chief executive Jill Ludford highlighted the district’s history of healthcare innovation.
“We are proud to join Mudgee Hospital in trialling another innovative approach,” Ms Ludford said.
“Our district continues to work closely with NSW Ambulance to determine how and when paramedics can best contribute, ensuring patients receive appropriate care from the right professionals.”
As part of the Wagga Wagga trial, up to two NSW Ambulance paramedics will be rostered in the Rapid Access Clinic and the Hospital in the Home service over eight weeks, working alongside the regular clinic team.
The paramedic’s role will depend on each patient’s needs, and hospital staff will inform patients if a paramedic is involved in their care.
State Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr welcomed the initiative.
“I’m pleased that Wagga Wagga Base Hospital has been chosen to trial this innovative model to improve access to care,” Dr McGirr said.
“Access to care in regional and rural areas is a challenge we must address, and I look forward to seeing the results of this pilot.”
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park acknowledged the difficulty of attracting and retaining healthcare workers in regional areas, a challenge faced by every state and territory in Australia.
“The NSW Government is committed to building a more supported regional health workforce through initiatives like the Integrated Paramedic Workforce Model Pilot,” Mr Park said.
The trial is open to NSW Ambulance paramedics across the state and aims to evaluate how paramedics can complement existing healthcare teams in various clinical settings.
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