Merriwa ambulance depot opens

15/11/04
A new 24-hour ambulance centre opened in Merriwa today to service Perth's north coastal suburbs.

Health Minister Jim McGinty today officially opened St John Ambulance's new depot in Merriwa on the corner of Baltimore Drive and Jenolan Way.
"This will boost emergency services to one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in Australia," Mr McGinty said.
"Merriwa and surrounding suburbs such as Butler, Brighton, Quinns Rock, Mindarie, Clarkson and Kinross will benefit greatly from the establishment of the new ambulance centre.
"Because of its central location in the north-coastal suburbs, the Merriwa centre will be able to respond quicker to patient calls, taking some of the pressure off the Joondalup and volunteer Yanchep ambulance depots, which previously serviced this district."
The Minister said a $34.7million funding boost for St John announced earlier this year was helping the organisation upgrade facilities, put more ambulances on the road and employ more staff.
The funding for St John complemented other State Government initiatives to relieve pressure on hospital emergency departments, including four new after-hours, bulk-billing emergency medical centres adjacent to major hospitals and $22million to upgrade hospital emergency departments.
"It is pleasing that St John Ambulance and the State Government are able to work together to establish new centres like Merriwa and improve emergency services to this growing area," Mr McGinty said.
Paramedic staff contributed to the planning and design of the building, which was previously a service station.
A paramedic crew will operate from the Merriwa depot 24-hours a day, with eight staff permanently based at the centre.
The depot has facilities for three ambulances, with land available for future extension of the centre.
Minister's office: 9220 5000