Victoria’s latest ambulance transfer data exposes ongoing delays in emergency handovers and treatment times, contradicting the Allan Labor Government’s claims of improvement.
Statewide ambulance transfer performance for October–December 2024 remains stagnant at 65–70%, falling far short of Labor’s promised 90% target.
Shadow Assistant Minister for Health, Annabelle Cleeland, said the government is failing to deliver real solutions and instead shifting blame onto already overwhelmed hospitals.
“Instead of fixing the root causes within our health system, the government’s response has been to punish hospitals already struggling under immense pressure,” Ms Cleeland said.
“With inadequate resourcing, forced hospital amalgamations, service cuts, and overworked paramedics, the Health Minister has chosen to shift blame rather than implement real solutions.
“Without systemic reform—expanding hospital capacity, improving staffing levels, and streamlining emergency department processes—these failures will continue.”
Adding to concerns, the Allan Labor Government is actively avoiding scrutiny by failing to ensure full and transparent reporting of health agency data.
For the second consecutive quarter, critical health services data has been incomplete, with missing figures from Albury Wodonga Health, Northern Health, and the Royal Women’s Hospital.
“Victorians have every right to ask—what is Labor trying to hide?” Ms Cleeland said
“This is a government that fails to take responsibility for the adverse impact they are having on our health services, and it is patients across our state that are paying the price.”
Within the Euroa electorate, ambulance response times for emergencies also continue to miss targets.
The median response time for high priority, time critical incidents in the Strathbogie Shire was over 22 minutes, while residents are waiting longer than the state average in Benalla (12.70 minutes) and the Mitchell Shire (14.72 minutes).
“While ambulance response times and ramping times are both far too long, it is time for this government to ensure our ambulance services, hospitals, and paramedics are properly supported to keep our communities safe.”
Key Findings in the Ambulance Transfer Data:
- Transfers within 40 minutes continue to fall well below the target, underscoring persistent system-wide issues.
- The total number of emergency department arrivals by ambulance has gradually declined across 2024, yet transfer delays remain.
- No quarter in 2024 met the target of 80 per cent of patients being treated within the recommended time, with performance hovering at 65-70 per cent.
- The data confirms the system is still failing to meet efficiency benchmarks.
- Despite a reduced patient load, hospitals continue to struggle to meet the 40-minute transfer target, highlighting ongoing inefficiencies.
