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A highly critical review of the Australian Capitol Territory service has found staff shortages are forcing stations to close and there's been an increase in response times. But the territory's emergency services agency says there's no risk to the public

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00:00If you ask the Minister about the state of Canberra's ambulance service...
00:06We're very confident that we're on the right track.
00:09If we've got the right framework in place, it's now a matter of building on that.
00:13Or the ESA Commissioner, the vital signs are good.
00:16I think it's actually a really exciting time for our paramedics during the ACT.
00:21But an internal review into the service gives a different prognosis.
00:26Response times to almost all life-threatening call-outs have increased by a minute.
00:31In small but significant percentage cases, we're talking about the difference between life and death.
00:36And there's no doubt ACT Ambulance Service is an organisation that is under operational pressure.
00:41When the sun goes down, so do staff numbers.
00:4496% of night shifts are not filled to minimum requirements.
00:49In terms of night shift, I'd say we're very much on a knife's edge.
00:52Something needs to be done immediately.
00:53There is a lot of luck involved, and unfortunately luck can run out.
00:56The Commissioner has a different take.
00:58We've been going alright with ACT-AS crews overnight shifts, but we could do better.
01:03Crew shortages have caused some ambulance stations to close down for periods of time.
01:08Ambulance stations closing is predominantly in the early hours of the morning,
01:11which is the lowest activity period for demand for ambulance services.
01:16As some stations close, another one is supposed to open.
01:20The $66 million Molongolo emergency station is slated to open mid-2026 and will be the capital's largest.
01:28It would be very unwise to open it if you can't staff the station.
01:3283 new paramedics are needed to fill the roster and meet demand.
01:37it would be amazing, so I'll quickly open up the queue.
01:43Amelia Peeters a turn at 26C forums would find a gym,
01:56ă‚ă‚ŠăŸă™.
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