O’Keeffe: Shepparton needs a new MICA unit, stat

Sep 16, 2024

**State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe has requested funding for a new MICA unit for Shepparton.** Photo by Rechelle Zammit

A recent parliamentary session spotlighted what a local MP considers a significant oversight in emergency medical services in Shepparton and the Hume region.

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State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe called on the Victorian Government to establish a new Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance paramedic unit in the region, stating that the district had “continually been overlooked”.

The request, directed at Ambulance Services Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, stemmed from Ms O’Keeffe’s growing concern that the region remained the only area in the state without a fully funded MICA unit.

She criticised the current Single Responder Unit system as outdated and insufficient for present needs, highlighting that it equipped only one MICA paramedic with a sedan.

“The SRU model was introduced in 2011 and is no longer suitable for what’s required today,” she said.

“Our paramedics are dealing with a heavy medical workload, often transporting patients long distances due to the specialised care not being available locally.”

Ms O’Keeffe said the plea for better emergency medical resources was prompted by a local paramedic contacting her and expressing concern about high fatality rates in Greater Shepparton.

“The paramedic raised concerns about the risk of transporting critically ill patients over long distances and the impact this has on the availability of paramedics within the community,” Ms O’Keeffe said.

“It is unacceptable that our region, despite numerous requests over the last two decades, has not seen an increase in MICA resources.

“It is time the government provide the resources needed for our emergency services in regional Victoria.”