BUSY AMBOS ARE JUST PAUSING TO REFRESH

IT was with some surprise that I read a letter from “Not time for a cuppa” (GA 29/11) criticising our high-performing paramedics for having a cup of coffee in Ocean Grove.

To set the record straight, this year Ambulance Victoria responded to about one million calls for assistance across the state.

In the Greater Geelong area alone, our highly trained and experienced paramedics attend to about 90 emergency cases a day over the past 12 months. These can range from medical emergencies to incredibly distressing traumatic events.

Despite the busiest flu season on record, increased demand for our services and complex patient needs, our response times continue to improve. In fact, the past year saw the best statewide response times on record.

In Greater Geelong we reached our Code 1 patients in distress and experiencing illness in an average of 11 minutes and three seconds. Some patients were simply treated on scene, avoiding lengthy stays in hospital. Others were provided lifesaving care so they could return home to their families.

Those paramedics you may see having a coffee or stopping for food are often taking a rare opportunity to refuel and, more importantly, gather their thoughts before being called out again to their next job. Please note — they are always available to respond when required.

We’d like to thank the community for all their support as our 4500 paramedics statewide go about providing exceptional health care, in often difficult circumstances for 6.5 million Victorians, including those across the Geelong area.