The announcement was made on February 22  to outline $48 million will be spent to provide an enhanced insurance scheme with a minimum of five years’ income protection for on duty claims.

It will also include a specialised health program for NSW Ambulance Service paramedics.

HSU paramedic members including those in the Port Macquarie-Hastings launched a campaign when their injury protection scheme was cut back to two years’ financial cover for injured paramedics who could no longer work.

HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said the agreement goes a long way to restore appropriate cover.

“When a paramedic is injured they are serving public health often in traumatic and risky circumstances,” he said.

“It’s only reasonable they receive adequate financial protection.”

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams welcomed the government announcement. 

Mrs Williams met with paramedics in October, 2016 to hear their concerns.

She said she was keen to meet with them again to know what they think of the new measures. 

“Yesterday I rang local paramedic Scott Duffy to let him know about the new support package,” she said. 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the reforms would provide more than just income protection.

“Our new wellbeing program will further help prevent mental and physical injuries and support paramedics to return to work,” she said. 

NSW Ambulance staff will vote on the proposal in coming weeks.