A new collaboration between NSW Ambulance and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) is helping patients receive the right care in the right place while easing pressure on emergency departments (EDs).
Since the deployment of two additional Extended Care Paramedic (ECP) vehicles on 7 March 2026, the region has seen a 142 per cent increase in the number of patients safely managed in the community rather than transported to hospital.
In the two months since commencing on 7 March 2026, with two additional ECP vehicles in operation, ECPs attended to 520 patients, helping 201 of those avoid an emergency department presentation. During the same period in 2025, the two existing ECP vehicles attended to 310 patients in the region, helping 83 avoid the ED.
ECPs are highly trained paramedics with additional skills to assess and treat patients with low acuity conditions suitable for alternative clinical pathways to an emergency department.
Their work reduces ambulance transports and supports patients to receive timely, appropriate care closer to home.
A new joint pilot between NSW Ambulance and ISLHD launched from 30 May aims to further increase the proportion of Triple Zero (000) patients who can receive safe care while avoiding a trip to the ED.
The pilot tests enhancements to the existing ECP model, including providing ECPs access to ISLHD patient medical records and care plans.
ECPs are now also able to provide new non-emergency transport options and new referral pathways for patients.
The pilot is supported by a suite of initiatives designed to improve utilisation of ECP resources and enhance clinical decision-making.
NSW Ambulance has also strengthened support for the region through its Virtual Clinical Care Centre (VCCC), which has increased monitoring of the Illawarra Shoalhaven region since February.
The VCCC enables experienced clinicians to remotely assess suitable patients and, when appropriate, connect them with alternative care options such as a general practitioner, pharmacist or community health service. This ensures patients receive care from the most appropriate provider while preserving frontline ambulance crews for emergencies.
These initiatives build on the work the Minns Labor Government is doing to ease pressure on hospitals by increasing access to care through alternate pathways and avoiding unnecessary ED visits. This includes:
- Investing in virtual and urgent care services
- Supporting geriatric outreach and Hospital in the Home.
- Expanding scope of practice for pharmacists to treat uncomplicated skin conditions and UTIs, and resupply the contraceptive pill
- Expanding scope of practice for GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Member for Keira, Ryan Park:
“Extended Care Paramedics are making a real and measurable difference for patients and for our hospitals.
“The expansion of Extended Care Paramedic crews in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region has delivered a 142 per cent increase in patients safely cared for in the community instead of being taken to an emergency department.
“This pilot is the next step in strengthening the care we provide outside hospital walls, ensuring people get the right care in the right place while easing pressure on our frontline EDs.
“The Minns Government is investing in more alternative pathways to care, so more people can access the treatment they need, when they need it.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:
“The impact of the additional Extended Care Paramedics, since commencing work in the Illawarra in March this year, highlights how a relatively small but well-targeted investment in regional healthcare can deliver significant benefits.
“Assisting more than 200 people to avoid a visit to the emergency department not only improves outcomes for patients and their families but also eases pressure on emergency department staff, allowing them to focus on patients requiring urgent care.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart:
“These highly trained paramedics, reducing ambulance patient transport, will alleviate pressure off our ED’s and ensure care is provided closer to home.
“This is a further initiative by the Minns Labor government with new modern medicine practices like virtual health care and pharmacists expanding their scope of practice, making health care in the Illawarra and right across NSW effective and affordable.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:
“This partnership between NSW Ambulance and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District is delivering better healthcare outcomes for people across Shellharbour and the broader Illawarra Shoalhaven region.
“The expansion of Extended Care Paramedic services means more patients can receive safe, high-quality care in their own homes, avoiding unnecessary trips to emergency departments and allowing hospitals to focus on those who need urgent treatment.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to improving access to healthcare across our region, and initiatives like this are helping to build a more connected, responsive and sustainable health system for our community.”
Quotes attributable to Member for South Coast Liza Butler:
“People deserve the right care, in the right place, at the right time, and this partnership between NSW Ambulance and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District is delivering exactly that.
“By giving Extended Care Paramedics access to new referral pathways, patient information and alternative transport options, more patients can be connected directly with the healthcare services they need, without an unnecessary trip to hospital.
“The results are already impressive, with more than twice as many patients able to avoid an emergency department presentation while still receiving safe, appropriate care.
“This means less pressure on our hospitals, shorter waits in emergency departments and better access to care closer to home.
“This is practical example of the Minns Labor Government improving patient care, making better use of our highly skilled paramedics and expanding access to community-based healthcare services across NSW.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney:
“We know that when people get the healthcare treatment for mild or uncomplicated health concerns this prevents unnecessary hospital presentations.
“This crucial investment in additional ECPs is delivering real healthcare outcomes for our regional communities.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech:
“Our partnership with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District is delivering real benefits for patients and for the health system.
“With four Extended Care Paramedic vehicles now operating in the region, we’re attending more incidents and avoiding more unnecessary transports than ever before.
“The upcoming pilot will give our teams, and our ISLHD partners, better tools, information and pathways to make the safest clinical decisions for every patient. It’s about smarter use of our resources and delivering care that truly meets people’s needs.”
Quotes attributable to Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Executive Director, Clinical Operations Marg Martin:
“This partnership is already transforming the way care is delivered across our district, providing the right care, in the right place.
“By connecting Extended Care Paramedics with improved clinical information, streamlined referral pathways and stronger links to our community services, we can support more patients to receive high quality care without needing to go to hospital.
“This pilot will deepen service integration and help us build a more connected, responsive and sustainable system for our community.”
