THE state government has rejected calls for more paramedics to be stationed at North Stradbroke Island, defending its use of one person during off-season there as appropriate.
The calls have followed a horror run for the island earlier this month, with two fatalities in less than 48-hours.
Locals have argued the island’s growing population, number of tourists and distance between its three villages meant more ambulance resources were needed.
Marine rescue volunteer Richard Dunn said it was impossible for one person to manage the island's off-peak emergency response workload.
He said the issue was highlighted last weekend when a woman went into labour as a fatal incident unfolded elsewhere on the island.
“We only have one paramedic on the island and how could he be expected to be in two places at once?” he said.
About 2000 people live at the island but this number can more than triple during school holidays.
Paramedic numbers are doubled on the island during peak seasons, with a campaign begun to get more paramedics based there permanently.
Local campaigners have urged residents this month, via the island’s Facebook page, to contact Health Minister Steven Miles for more to be done.
Their concerns were dismissed by a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman, who said QAS was well-resourced to respond to cases on the island.
The spokesman said a triage system and help from other emergency services, including areomedical support from Retrieval Services Queensland, meant patients could be helped.
“QAS regularly reviews its staffing and we are comfortable with paramedic staffing levels in place on the island,” he said.
The spokesman said emergency help for the woman in labour was provided.
She was at Dunwich’s Marie Rose Health Centre when a decision was made to send mainland paramedics to transport her to hospital.
“The decision to prioritise the dispatch of an ambulance to a patient with critical head injuries ahead of a patient already receiving medical care was absolutely appropriate,” he said.
Division two councillor Peter Mitchell said residents’ concerns were legitimate but any decisions would need to be made by authorities.
He said he had drafted a letter to Health Minister Steven Miles requesting further review of QAS arrangements at the island.
“I have suggested a particular focus on the access challenges to NSI from the mainland, the sheer size of the land mass and distance between townships and large population fluctuations across holiday periods,” he said.
“Input from residents and those island-based service providers should be integral in any assessment.”
