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Dominic Perrottet denies he called health minister to get faster ambulance response for his sick wife Dominic Perrottet denies he called health minister to get faster ambulance response for his sick wife
(about 4 hours later)
NSW premier says the ambulance commissioner arranged an ambulance on his behalf but it was categorised as low-priorityNSW premier says the ambulance commissioner arranged an ambulance on his behalf but it was categorised as low-priority
Premier Dominic Perrottet has denied he called health minister Brad Hazzard in order to receive a faster ambulance response for his sick wife.Premier Dominic Perrottet has denied he called health minister Brad Hazzard in order to receive a faster ambulance response for his sick wife.
Perrottet was grilled in the Riverstone electorate on Wednesday morning over a call he made to Hazzard, who was with Ambulance Commissioner Dr Dominic Morgan and which resulted in an ambulance being sent to his house. The story was first reported by Sky News on Tuesday.Perrottet was grilled in the Riverstone electorate on Wednesday morning over a call he made to Hazzard, who was with Ambulance Commissioner Dr Dominic Morgan and which resulted in an ambulance being sent to his house. The story was first reported by Sky News on Tuesday.
It comes as the NSW Paramedics Association promised industrial action after sounding the alarm this week on issues they say are affecting ambulance services.It comes as the NSW Paramedics Association promised industrial action after sounding the alarm this week on issues they say are affecting ambulance services.
Perrottet said he called Hazzard prior to calling a doctor to seek advice on what level of healthcare he needed for his wife Helen’s condition, who was “paralysed in bed and in tears” after returning home from the gym.Perrottet said he called Hazzard prior to calling a doctor to seek advice on what level of healthcare he needed for his wife Helen’s condition, who was “paralysed in bed and in tears” after returning home from the gym.
Perrottet said the ambulance commissioner arranged an ambulance on his behalf after he was advised in the phone call that one should be called. Perrottet said Morgan categorised the ambulance as a low-priority and he estimated it arrived at his home between 40 to 50 minutes later.Perrottet said the ambulance commissioner arranged an ambulance on his behalf after he was advised in the phone call that one should be called. Perrottet said Morgan categorised the ambulance as a low-priority and he estimated it arrived at his home between 40 to 50 minutes later.
Perrottet told reporters his wife’s sister had personally called an ambulance to his home at approximately the same time Morgan arranged an ambulance on Perrottet’s behalf, however, he was unaware of this at the time. Perrottet, who was on his way home from an event when he called Hazzard, told reporters his wife’s sister had personally called an ambulance to his home at approximately the same time Morgan arranged an ambulance on Perrottet’s behalf, however, he was unaware of this at the time.
Asked what happened to the ambulance his sister-in-law requested, Perrottet said he did not know.Asked what happened to the ambulance his sister-in-law requested, Perrottet said he did not know.
Perrottet denied he was looking for special treatment in order to avoid prolonged wait times, claiming he called Hazzard for advice and was unaware Hazzard was with Morgan at the time.Perrottet denied he was looking for special treatment in order to avoid prolonged wait times, claiming he called Hazzard for advice and was unaware Hazzard was with Morgan at the time.
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“Brad is a friend and somebody who has been around health for many, many years,” he said. “The conversation that I had [with Brad Hazzard] was I wasn’t sure, because I was arranging a physio at the time, whether that was the right approach or whether she should see a GP or whether she should go to hospital.”“Brad is a friend and somebody who has been around health for many, many years,” he said. “The conversation that I had [with Brad Hazzard] was I wasn’t sure, because I was arranging a physio at the time, whether that was the right approach or whether she should see a GP or whether she should go to hospital.”
“My only concern at the time was for my wife and the immense pain that she was in.”“My only concern at the time was for my wife and the immense pain that she was in.”
Asked if Perrottet thought he had received preferential treatment as a result of the ambulance commissioner arranging the ambulance, he said no, reiterating the fact the ambulance was categorised as a low priority.Asked if Perrottet thought he had received preferential treatment as a result of the ambulance commissioner arranging the ambulance, he said no, reiterating the fact the ambulance was categorised as a low priority.
The premier said he was on his way back from an event at the time he made the call to Hazzard. A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance said no request was made for Morgan to call an ambulance, nor to have the response prioritised.
The NSW Paramedics Association is calling for better pay, more specialist paramedics and patient transport officers, triaging reform, and huge funding boosts for regional health and community healthcare. Sign up to Guardian Australia's Afternoon Update
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The spokesperson said Morgan recommended an ambulance be sent after asking some clinical questions and determining the injury should be assessed in an emergency department, but did not require a lights and siren ambulance response.
The NSW Paramedics Association have written to the ambulance commissioner asking if the normal triaging and dispatch procedures were followed.
The NSW Paramedics Association is calling for better pay, more specialist paramedics and patient transport officers, triaging reform, and funding boosts for regional health and community healthcare.
The union had previously criticised the Perrottet government for not supporting the recommendation from the Regional Health Inquiry to introduce more specialist paramedics in the regions.The union had previously criticised the Perrottet government for not supporting the recommendation from the Regional Health Inquiry to introduce more specialist paramedics in the regions.
“We’re disappointed neither major party has committed to a real pay rise for Paramedics,” said the Association’s president, Chris Kastelan.