August 17th, 2024Busiest quarter on record for paramedics

Paramedics and first responders across Victoria have faced the busiest quarter on record, with crews in the Grampians Region responding to 4,418 Code 1 emergencies.

Ambulance Victoria Grampians regional director Peter Jenkins said demand across the Grampians Region increased by 3.3 per cent – or 141 more Code 1 cases – compared with a year ago.

“The entire health system continues to be extremely busy due to seasonal illness such as flu, Covid-19 and RSV circulating within our communities and our workforce,” Mr Jenkins said.

“Our dedicated paramedics and first responders in the Grampians Region do an incredible job in the face of record-breaking demand, providing best care to our communities every day.

“It is important that everyone does their part. If your matter is not an emergency, consider using alternative care options and keep our highly skilled paramedics available for patients most in need.”

Mr Jenkins said April to June was AV’s busiest quarter ever with more than 102,000 Code 1 cases across Victoria – breaking the previous record of 100,238 Code 1 cases set in October to December 2022.

“That’s nearly 5000 more ‘lights and sirens’ cases compared to the same time last year and a huge 35.2 per cent more Code 1 cases before the pandemic five years ago,” Mr Jenkins said.

From April to June 2024, paramedics across Victoria responded to 64.2 per cent of Code 1 cases within the state-wide target of 15 minutes. The state-wide average response time to Code 1 emergencies was 15 minutes and 37 seconds.

Performance against the 15-minute target for Code 1 cases improved in 55 of Victoria’s 79 Local Government Areas compared with a year ago.

In the Grampians Region, the biggest improvements were in the Pyrenees, Golden Plains, Hepburn and Hindmarsh LGAs.

In the Grampians Region, the biggest improvements were in the Pyrenees, Golden Plains, Hepburn and Hindmarsh LGAs.

Regional highlights:

• In the Pyrenees LGA, paramedics attended 34.6 per cent of Code 1 patients within 15 minutes – up from 23 per cent a year earlier – the biggest improvement in the state. As a result, paramedics were arriving one minute and 2 seconds faster than a year ago.

• Over the past year, Code 1 response times decreased by 32 seconds in the Golden Plains LGA, three minutes and 40 seconds in the Hepburn LGA and two minutes and 8 seconds in the Hindmarsh LGA.

• In the Ballarat LGA, paramedics attended 78 per cent of Code 1 patients within 15 minutes – the second-best result in the state. In Horsham, paramedics attended 77.6 per cent of Code 1 patients within 15 minutes, which was the third best result.

Regional Operations executive director Danielle North said AV constantly monitored demand and ambulance availability in real time and worked with hospitals to help transfer patients as promptly as possible, to ensure our ambulances can get back on the road sooner.

“We also review and adjust the ambulance call taking and dispatch grid, based on research, clinical expertise and our large body of clinical data, to ensure it remains suitable for the Victorian environment,” Ms North said.

“We continue to work with our partners at Triple Zero Victoria to support the call taking and dispatch process, noting that about one in five calls to Triple Zero (000) do not need an emergency ambulance response.

“There are many alternative care pathways that people can access when they need timely medical care and health advice but not an emergency ambulance.

“You can connect directly with the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department at www.vved.org.au anywhere, anytime in the comfort of home and avoid a trip to hospital.

“Other options include your local Priority Primary Care Centre (PPCC), GP or pharmacist, or Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24.

“From April to June, 41,704 people who did not need an emergency ambulance were instead connected to more appropriate care by paramedics and nurses in AV’s Secondary Triage team.

“In 2023/24, paramedics referred more than 30,000 patients to the VVED and 9,574 patients were referred to the VVED following assessment in Secondary Triage.

“Staying up to date with your yearly flu and Covid-19 vaccinations helps protect you, the people around you, and makes a difference by reducing demand on our paramedics during this busy time.” Link: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.

Words: Donna Kelly