Ambulance response times again under fire
Nationals candidate for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has condemned ambulance response times in Mitchell Shire and Strathbogie Shire as unacceptable.
Ms Cleeland expressed concern as indicators for ambulance response times have worsened consecutively over three quarters in both shires.
A report from the Inspector General of Emergency Management found 33 Victorians died waiting on the phone to 000 services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
New data on ambulance response times shows the average wait for an emergency code one call-out is 18 minutes and 31 seconds across Mitchell, with 47 per cent of ambulances arriving on time.
Currently, the average wait for an emergency code one call-out is 24 minutes and 44 seconds across Strathbogie, with just 28 per cent of ambulances arriving on time.
“We know the pandemic has placed additional strain on the health system, but the government failed to put plans in place at the beginning of the pandemic to support our 000 system,” Ms Cleeland said.