Ambos quicker to scene
AMBULANCE response times to critical incidents in Geelong have improved for a second straight quarter, performance data released yesterday shows.
Paramedics were called to 3096 time-critical incidents in the Geelong council area between January and March, up from 2806 in the same period last year.
Despite increased demand, average arrival times to life- threatening incidents dropped to 11 minutes, down from an average of 12 minutes 13 seconds the previous year.
Paramedics attended more than 85 per cent of lifethreatening cases in under 15 minutes around Geelong in the first three months this year.
Response times to serious incidents in Queenscliff rose almost a minute, and 66 seconds in Colac-Otway Shire.
The number of time-critical call-outs in the Surf Coast council area rose by 48 in the past year to 352, and the average response time dropped by 79 seconds to 14 minutes, 15 seconds.
About 95 emergency patients a day were treated at Geelong hospital in the first three months of the year, and 21,601 people were admitted between January and March.
To meet demand, about 40 paramedics have started work in the region in the past year.
A 24-hour and a 10-hour ambulance service have been added to the Geelong network, and two 10-hour ambulances on the Bellarine Peninsula have also been added.
Ambulance Victoria chief executive Tony Walker said the force was well-prepared for the flu season.
“While last year’s heavy flu season had a significant impact, we were able to not only meet demand but improve our response performance,” Mr Walker said.
“Our patient-focused reforms to the way triple-0 calls are triaged and ambulan- ces dispatched are also having a positive impact.
“By better assessing the individual needs of our patients we are able to provide the most appropriate response and ensure ambulances are available for emergencies.
“We are also asking Victorians to save 000 for emergencies.”
Health and Ambulance Services Minister Jill Hennessy said response times had improved significantly in the past four years.
“Victorian families can have the peace of mind that ambulances will arrive sooner when they have an emergency — and that our hospitals will treat the most critical patients first,” Ms Hennessy said.
In major population centres, paramedics reached 88.5 per cent of serious incidents within 15 minutes.
In the March quarter, Ambulance Victoria attended 66,225 time-critical call-outs arriving in an average of 11 minutes and 21 seconds.