Ambos near target as calls increase

PARAMEDICS in the Swan Hill municipality are responding to critically sick patients almost within the target timeframe.

In the three months to June, ambulances arrived to Code 1 patients within the target of 15 minutes 64.9 per cent of the time.

The average response time was 15 minutes, 44 seconds, with 350 first responses recorded.

The previous quarter the average response time blew out to 16 minutes, 36 seconds.

Code 1 patients receive a “lights and sirens” response.

Ambulance Victoria said it faced the busiest quarter on record, with crews in the Loddon Mallee Region responding to 6434 Code 1 emergencies.

Loddon Mallee regional director Matt McCrohan said demand across the region increased by 5.3 per cent – or 327 more Code 1 cases – compared with a year ago.

“The entire health system continues to be extremely busy due to seasonal illness such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV circulating within our communities and our workforce,” Mr McCrohan said.

“Our dedicated paramedics and first responders in Loddon Mallee do an incredible job in the face of record-breaking demand, providing best care to our communities every day.

“It is important that everyone does their part. If your matter is not an emergency, consider using alternative care options and keep our highly skilled paramedics available for patients most in need.”

Executive director of regional operations Danielle North said AV constantly monitored demand and ambulance availability in real time and worked with hospitals to help transfer patients as promptly as possible, to ensure ambulances could get back on the road sooner.

“We also review and adjust the ambulance call taking and dispatch grid, based on research, clinical expertise and our large body of clinical data, to ensure it remains suitable for the Victorian environment,” Ms North said.

“We continue to work with our partners at Triple Zero Victoria to support the call taking and dispatch process, noting that about one in five calls to Triple Zero do not need an emergency ambulance response.

“There are many alternative care pathways that people can access when they need timely medical care and health advice but not an emergency ambulance.

“You can connect directly with the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) at www.vved.org.au anywhere, anytime in the comfort of home and avoid a trip to hospital.”