Paramedics worried that proposed roster changes could leave sick or injured Dubbo residents with less access to ambulance crews have reconciled with state Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders.
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Last week the Health Services Union (HSU), which represents paramedics, told Dubbo's media outlets Mr Saunders refused to meet with them to discuss their concerns but he denied the allegation.
On Monday Mr Saunders met with HSU delegates and the relationship appears to be back on track.
"It was an exceptionally positive meeting and we found a really supportive ear," HSU delegate Melissa Todhunter told the Daily Liberal.
Ms Todhunter said Mr Saunders was "well and truly behind" paramedics and "happy to advocate not only on behalf of the paramedics in his town but also the constituents that he serves".
"We will now be afforded the opportunity to submit a roster to NSW Ambulance," she said.
"The new roster is still to be determined, the service has put through two proposals to us and we are in the process of coming up with a roster that we believe is going to give our town the maximum coverage."
Mr Saunders said after he met with paramedics he spoke to Ambulance NSW managers and was given "an assurance there will be some follow-up before any decisions are made on final rosters and new staff".
Ms Todhunter said paramedics welcomed new colleagues to Dubbo and looked forward to being given the opportunity to work with NSW Ambulance on a new roster proposal that will benefit patients.
"It doesn't make sense when you say you're nearly doubling your numbers of paramedics in one town but you are at best able to just match what you currently do with the current roster," she said.
When NSW Ambulance was asked to explain what the roster changes it wanted to make were, a spokesperson said employing more paramedics would improve response times, reduce fatigue and support safety.
"NSW Ambulance are striving to give paramedics a greater work-life balance and as such the enhancement will address the issue of fatigue by alleviating the need for paramedics to be on-call between shifts and are not disturbed on rest days," the spokesperson said.
The government was investing $27.1 million in the workforce and recruiting 750 additional paramedics and call centre staff across the state, the spokesperson said.
