General News
5 February, 2024
Ambulance Victoria response times improve
New data has found the average response time to a Code One emergency across Victoria is now under 15 minutes for the first time in over two years, which includes a 36 second improvement in the Central Goldfields. Between October and December...
New data has found the average response time to a Code One emergency across Victoria is now under 15 minutes for the first time in over two years, which includes a 36 second improvement in the Central Goldfields.
Between October and December, Ambulance Victoria (AV) responded to a record 154,267 emergency cases with 99,833 cases being classed as Code One — a lights and sirens response.
Despite the constant need for urgent care, paramedics across Victoria responded to 67.3 percent of Code One cases within the statewide target of 15 minutes — up from 66 percent from the previous quarter and over seven percent better than a year ago.
Loddon Mallee regional director Matt McCrohan said the recent figures show promising progress for the future.
“While there is more work ahead of us, it is encouraging our response to Code One emergencies improved a full minute and 46 seconds across Victoria compared to a year ago,” he said.
“The Productivity Commission’s recent Report on Government Services shows Victoria has Australia’s most trusted paramedics and leads the nation in cardiac arrest survival and pain management.
“Our dedicated paramedics and first responders are to be commended for the outstanding care they deliver to communities across the state.”
Response time performance has improved in 74 of the state’s 79 Local Government Areas (LGA), with Macedon Ranges slashing 90 seconds, Campaspe improving by 88 seconds, and Central Goldfields responding 36 seconds faster compared to this time last year.
However, only one of the LGAs in the Loddon Mallee region has reached the average 15 minute target, with Mildura’s average of just over 13 minutes the fourth best in Victoria.
The last quarter in 2023 also saw a noticeable dip in performance, with first responders in Central Goldfields arriving nearly two minutes slower compared to the quarter between July and September, clocking in at an average of 19 minutes.
Executive director clinical operations Anthony Carlyon has called for residents to use other virtual health services when an ambulance is not necessary to ensure quicker response times for emergencies.
“From October to December 2023, 38,695 people who did not need an emergency ambulance were instead connected to more appropriate care by paramedics and nurses in AV’s Secondary Triage team,” he said.
“There are now so many options for people in the community to get timely, non-urgent health advice and save Triple Zero (000) for emergencies.
“For non-life-threatening matters, you can connect directly with emergency doctors and nurses at the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department from anywhere in Victoria, at any time.
“Other options also include your local Priority Primary Care Centre, your GP or pharmacist, or Nurse-On-Call on 1300 606 024.
“While we continue to work with hospitals to improve transfer times, avoiding unnecessary ambulance attendances and trips to hospital relieves pressure in the health system and means paramedics are more available for emergencies in the community.”