Victoria’s Code 1 ambulance response times remain worse than 12 months ago despite a decline in demand for emergency triple zero calls according to new Ambulance Victoria data.
Over the last quarter just 65.2 per cent of ambulances arrived on time in a Code 1 emergency, despite target ranges of 85-90 per cent. The average time for an ambulance to arrive also remained above Ambulance Victoria target times.
The Nationals Member for Euroa and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Annabelle Cleeland, said the Andrews Government has continually failed to improve the triple zero system.
“A report into the plagued system last year revealed that at least 33 tragic deaths were linked to Triple-Zero or ambulance delays, and yet more than six months later, we are no closer to fixing the problem,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The Andrews Government went to the last election promising to fix the crisis that has engulfed our ambulance system.
“Yet six months later, response targets are still not being met and it’s clear nothing has changed. It’s regional Victorians who suffer.”
While marginal improvement was observed across LGAs in the Euroa electorate, no Ambulance Victoria target is being met in the LGAs of Mitchell, Benalla, Strathbogie or Greater Bendigo for Code 1 emergencies.
“The Andrews Government might be happy with minor improvements, but I certainly don’t think people across Strathbogie should be waiting close to 25 minutes for an ambulance in an emergency,” Ms Cleeland said.
“It’s the same story in Mitchell, Bendigo and Benalla. These are densely populated regional areas and yet the triple zero system is failing regional Victorians.
“Report after report has warned the government of these outcomes, with Ministers happy to let them collect dust on their desks.
“This is the Victorian health system under the Andrews Government – no guarantee you’ll get an ambulance and no plan to fix this broken system.”