Faster response despite record emergency demand
February 2, 2024in News
Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics are reaching patients nearly two minutes faster than a year ago despite another record-breaking quarter for emergency ambulance demand.
The last quarter of 2023 (October to December) was the busiest in its history with 154,267 emergency cases.
This includes 99,833 Code 1 cases – the second most on record – and 54,434 Code 2 cases.
Ambulance Victoria responded to 154,267 emergency cases from October to December 2023.
Executive Director Clinical Operations Anthony Carlyon said the average response time to Code 1 “lights and sirens” cases was now under 15 minutes for the first time in more than two years.
“While there is more work ahead of us, it is encouraging our response to Code 1 emergencies improved a full minute and 46 seconds compared to a year ago,” Mr Carlyon 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.”
Between October and December 2023, paramedics across Victoria responded to 67.3 per cent of Code 1 cases within the statewide target of 15 minutes – up from 66 per cent for the previous three months and 7.1 percentage points better than 60.2 per cent a year ago.
As a result, the state-wide average response time to Code 1 emergencies dropped from 16 minutes and 44 seconds to 14 minutes and 58 seconds.
Performance against the 15-minute target for Code 1 cases improved in 74 of Victoria’s 79 Local Government Areas (LGAs) compared to a year ago, with the biggest improvements in Melbourne’s growing outer suburbs.
Mr Carlyon said improved performance followed increased use of alternative and virtual care services for people in the community who did not require an ambulance.
“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,” Mr Carlyon 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 (VVED) from anywhere in Victoria, at any time.
“Since October 2021, paramedics have referred more than 56,000 patients to the VVED, while a further 5,400 have been referred to the VVED following assessment by our Secondary Triage team.
“Other options also include your local Priority Primary Care Centre, your GP or pharmacist, or Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24.”
Response times, October 1 – December 31, 2023 (12.2 MB, PDF)