Russell Island woman says Weinam Creek bus station facilities are inadequate

Sandra Mckeown said the “ride of shame” on a guerney in heavy rain meant that she arrived at hospital wet, cold and shivering.

Ms Mckeown fractured her kneecap and wrist tripping over a push bike on Russell Island.

She waited about two hours for paramedics to transport her to Redland Hospital after a triple zero call.

She said a paramedic had taken on a deckie role on the ambulance boat, tying up the craft at the jetty, while also wheeling the guerney.

Ms Mckeown said school buses had allocated loading zones but not ambulances.

“People don’t realise how important ambulances are for us,” she said.

“There has been $8 million spent on the bus station but people are being loaded and unloaded into ambulances in the walkway.

“There should have been far better utilisation of the space.”

Cr Mark Edwards said protection from rain and the condition and number of toilets, were the most common complaints he received about the bus station.

“There is a lack of privacy for people being taken from the boat to the ambulance,” Cr Edwards said.

Ms Mckeown recognised the efforts of paramedics.

“I am very grateful for the ambos who go far beyond the call of duty,” she said said. 

“These first responders labour under appalling conditions.”

A TransLink spokesperson said the station had been designed according to relevant standards and guidelines.

“Redland Bay Marina bus station is well sheltered, with the design providing cover for the majority of the public transport precinct, given the physical constraints of the site,” the spokesperson said.

“There is an emergency vehicle loading bay provided at the station – near the drop off and pick up zone – which has cover over the adjacent footpath.

“However, there is a necessary narrow break in the cover to allow maintenance vehicles to access the groyne (sea wall).”