General News
3 May, 2024
Response times best in state
FIGURES released by Ambulance Victoria earlier this week showed response times for code one patients across Warrnambool City were among the best in the state.
According to Ambulance Victoria, in the Warrnambool LGA (local government area), paramedics attended 85 per cent of code one patients within 15 minutes.
This not only meets the state-wide target, it was also the “best result in the state.”
Paramedics are this week urging all residents to access alternative care options and get their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations now before winter, as new data shows demand for emergency ambulances remains high.
Ambulance Victoria (AV) Barwon South West regional director Jessica McGowan said paramedics across Victoria were reaching the sickest patients on average 31 seconds faster than a year earlier, despite demand increasing 4.4 per cent.
“Our hardworking paramedics and first responders in the Barwon South West Region deliver world-class care every day in the face of ongoing high demand – and we can all do our part to help,” Ms McGowan said.
“In winter we see the spread of illness increase. Getting your flu shot and staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations will help you and the people around you stay well. Book in now with your pharmacist or doctor.
“Along with simple things like staying home if you’re unwell and washing and sanitising your hands often, these routine winter vaccinations can protect what’s most important to all of us – our health.
“And if we look after our health – it will also make a real difference to our busy paramedics who again face rising demand as we head into winter.”
January to March 2024 was the busiest Quarter 3 on record for emergency ambulances with 150,048 code one and two cases combined.
This includes 96,484 code one cases and 53,564 code two cases.
Paramedics across Victoria responded to 67.7 per cent of code one cases within the state-wide target of 15 minutes – up from 65.2 per cent a year ago.
Performance improved in 62 of Victoria’s 79 local government areas (LGAs) compared with a year ago.
In the Barwon South Region, the biggest improvements were in the Moyne, Surf Coast, Colac-Otway and Corangamite LGAs.
