Ambulance response times in Brimbank improved slightly in the April to June period, according to new quarterly data released by Ambulance Victoria (AV).
In the last quarter, Brimbank patients waited an average of 14 minutes and 24 seconds for ambulances — seven seconds less than in the period of January to March this year.
The percentage of callout responses within 15 minutes, however, was less than the previous quarter.
This quarter out of a total number of 3121 callouts in the municipality, 69.4 per cent were responded to within 15 minutes, whereas in the previous quarter 71 per cent of 2969 first response callouts were attended to within the stipulated time.
During this quarter, response times in Brimbank were better than the state’s, with Victoria’s average ambulance response time sitting at 15 minutes and 27 seconds, down from 15 minutes and 37 seconds a year ago.
Brimbank also recorded a higher percentage of responses within 15 minutes when compared to the state’s overall result of 65.3 per cent.
Still, the state’s percentage is an improvement from a year ago when 64.2 per cent of ambulances responded to callouts within 15 minutes.
AV responded to 98,874 code one cases between April and June this year, down 3.5 per cent from the same period last year, which recorded 102,419 code one emergencies — AV’s busiest three months on record.
AV acting regional operations executive director Michael Georgiou congratulated health workers on their efforts.
“I thank our highly skilled paramedics and first responders who do a remarkable job providing best care to their communities, each and every day,” said Mr Georgiou.
He said more than 500 calls to triple-0 each day don’t need an emergency ambulance.
“We’re grateful to Victorians who are choosing to use alternative care for non-urgent issues — it means ambulances are available faster for emergencies. That community effort is helping us save lives,” Mr Georgiou said.
“There are many options people can access when they need timely medical care and health advice but don’t need an emergency ambulance, including the Victorian virtual emergency department and urgent care clinics.”
