TRADIES BIG FANS OF TRAD
When paramedics are on the road, they confront the road works underway for next year’s Commonwealth Games and the constant threat of Pacific Motorway gridlock.
The paramedics know motorists stalled on the highways are unsure whether to move to the right or left creating a middle path. Some refuse to move at all.
Health Minister Cameron Dick acknowledges the Coast health service is confronted with a significant increase in demand for ambulance services.
The number of emergency calls for help increased by 16 per cent from 88,691 in 2013-14 to 102,798 in 2016-17.
“Despite the big jump, the response time for the most urgent calls has remained relatively stable at around sevenand-a-half minutes,” he told your columnist.
The Government has employed 47 extra ambos since 2015 but Mr Dick admits traffic congestion is an “ever present problem” on the Coast.
New emergency vehicle technology is being rolled out with 51 emergency cars fitted and 402 intersections enabled to give paramedics a green light.
But if the times continue to blow out other quick solutions must be found because the lives of our rapidly ageing population are at risk. YOUR columnist asked an ageing tradie outside the new Carrara Sport and Leisure Centre for directions to a press conference held by the Premier.
“Will Jackie Trad be there,” the old fella said, getting up off his chair only to be told Peter Beattie was accompanying Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Asked why he was so disappointed, he smiled and replied: “Because that Jackie Trad is a bloody good sort.”