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Emergency Services Health | February 07, 2018

Little improvement in ambulance response times

The Nationals Member for Lowan and Shadow Minister for Country Health, Emma Kealy MP says that despite claims by the Andrews Labor Government of improved ambulance response times, Lowan residents continue to have some of the longest waiting times in Victoria.

The Andrews Labor Government has set an ambulance response time target of within 15 minutes for Code One callouts. Code One callouts are patients requiring urgent paramedic and hospital care and a ‘lights and sirens’ response.

Statistics released by Ambulance Victoria show the Yarriambiack and West Wimmera Local Government Areas remain amongst the slowest in the State for Code One callouts with an average response time of 22.18 and 20.27 minutes respectively, well above the State target.

Response times in Ararat LGA have also increased from 14.10 to 16.09 minutes.

“The Andrews Labor Government is claiming their reforms are delivering record ambulance response time results for Victorians and yet Ararat, Hindmarsh, Moyne, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack LGAs have average response times well above the State target,” Ms Kealy said.

“It doesn’t matter where you live, every minute counts when you need an ambulance.

“Our paramedics and ambulance community officers are working exceptionally hard and doing their very best in challenging circumstances.

“But western Victorian residents are not experiencing the same improvements in ambulance services as those in inner Melbourne and major regional centres and continue to be forgotten by Daniel Andrews.

“The Andrews Labor Government must act immediately to provide the resources and support our paramedics need to ensure our local people can access medical treatment when needed,” she said.