Page 14 The Moorabool News – 5 April, 2022
News
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Over an hour wait for ambulance By Helen Tatchell An elderly man in his 90s has waited over an hour for ambulance to arrive, after falling in a confined space. Emergency services were called to a Ballan residential property on Tuesday 22 March at 5.16pm, with the local fire brigade attending and finding the man on the floor in a locked toilet. A spokesperson said the man had fallen and the door did not open outwards. “We had to take the door off at the hinges and monitored the patient until the ambulance arrived, as he was known to have a previous back injury.”
It is alleged the ambulance arrived at 6.30pm, one hour and 14 minutes after the call was made, and came from Bacchus Marsh, despite there being a 24-hour ambulance station at Ballan, only blocks away from the scene. Ambulance Victoria would not provide the Moorabool News with an explanation for the delay or, why the paramedics were not dispatched from Ballan. The Moorabool News did receive a brief comment from an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson. “Ambulance Victoria has discussed our response with patient’s family and, in accordance with their wishes, will not provide any comment on this case.” It was not made clear if AV were experiencing paramedic shortages due to COVID.
Vouchers for active kids If your child loves being active, and your family has a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, you may be eligible for up to $200 to go towards your child’s sport. The Get Active Kids Voucher Program offers eligible kids up to $200 to cover membership and registration costs, and also reimburses fees already paid for those eligible. To apply, a child must be 18 or younger, living in Victoria, and one of the following: named on an Australian Health Care Card, named on an Australian Pensioner Concession Card, residing in Victorian Care Services, the child of a parent or guardian who holds a temporary or provisional visa or have their own, the child of a parent or guardian who holds an international student visa or have their own, or an undocumented migrant. You can apply for vouchers for more than one eligible child. Successful applicants will receive their child’s voucher by email, for use at the chosen sport or activity provider. Applications for a Get Active Kids voucher opened on March 21. For more information and to apply, visit www.getactive.vic.gov.au/ vouchers.