The NSW Farmers group were among other peak bodies to welcome the NSW Government announcement of 80 new four-wheel-drive ambulances joining the state's current fleet.

Eighty new vehicles will allow paramedics to access patients in challenging terrain such as many areas across the Western Plains.

NSW Farmers health spokeswoman Sarah Thompson said the specially-modified Toyota Landcruiser 200 series ambulances – announced by Health Minister Ryan Park on Tuesday – would give paramedics greater ability to reach patients in remote areas.

“The people who grow our food and fibre and keep our regional communities moving often work in hard-to-reach places,” Ms Thompson said. “It’s comforting to know that if something goes wrong, help will be able to get to you. This is a common sense move, replacing the old Troop Carrier ambulances with their modern equivalents.”

The new off-road ambulances are purpose built for use in rescue and recovery operations where standard ambulances cannot go. They will give paramedics greater ability to reach patients in places such as the bush, on sand, through water, mud and snow.

According to Minister Park, this enables paramedics to provide lifesaving treatment and stabilisation, while organising a suitable method of moving the patient.

“I want our paramedics and first responders to have the most modern and up-to-date equipment, to help them deliver the highest quality care,” he said. “This announcement means that our paramedics will be better placed to reach patients in the most challenging and harshest of environments.

To create these new ambulances, vehicles from the Toyota Landcruiser 200 Series were modified to a 3-seater to allow for the inclusion of a stretcher and medical equipment. The 4WDs will not be used in place of standard patient transport ambulances, but will complement the standard stretchered ambulance fleet. In some cases, the vehicles will also be used to retrieve the patient and deliver them to a standard stretchered ambulance for further transport.

If paramedics identify that a location cannot be reached due to road conditions or difficult terrain, they can advise the Control Centre and a specialist resource such as these 4WDs can be deployed from nearby ambulance stations.

“These special purpose built ambulances will enhance health care in our regional and rural communities,” Minister Park said.

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan also welcomed the new additions to the fleet.

“The new Toyota Landcruiser 200 Series vehicles replace an aging fleet of Toyota Landcruiser Troop Carriers, which were sturdy work horses but no longer fit for purpose. These new vehicles will make it easier and safer for our paramedics to continue carrying out difficult rescue missions while delivering the best possible pre-hospital care."

There is no confirmation yet on where the new, four-wheel-drive ambulances will be stationed but our local region would certainly benefit to have one in place on the Western Plains.