Brimbank recorded the north-west’s fastest code one ambulance response times in the three months to March, new data reveals.
Ambulance Victoria’s quarterly performance data reveals that between January and March, paramedics responded to 2989 code one calls in Brimbank, with the average response time of 14:31.
Paramedics responded to 69.5 per cent of code one calls in Brimbank within the 15 minute benchmark
Ambulance Victoria defines code one cases as incidents requiring urgent paramedic and hospital care, based on information at the of call.
Across the north-west, Maribyrnong recorded the second-fastest average code one response time (14:48), followed by Wyndham (15:02), Hobsons Bay (15:26), Hume (15:34), Melton (16:38) and Moorabool (18:12).
Brimbank’s average code one response time for the three months to March was marginally faster than the same period last year, when paramedics responded to 3157 code one calls, with an average time of 14:37.
Brimbank’s average response time for code two call-outs – calls that don’t require a lights and siren response – was 42:50, down from 44:23 12 months earlier.
Ambulance Victoria metropolitan regional director Ian Hunt said performance times had improved thanks to reduced demand and fewer staff furloughed due to COVID-19.
“This helped speed up the handover of patients at hospitals and allowed to us get back on the road quicker to attend more life-threating emergencies,” Mr Hunt said.
According to Ambulance Victoria, between January and March, an average of nearly 54 Ambulance Victoria staff were furloughed every day due to COVID-19.
As a wave of COVID-19 eased, the number of staff furloughed decreased from a peak of 112 on January 5 to a low of 29 on February 21, Ambulance Victoria said.
“However, now is not the time to be complacent. We know demand is already rising again and will continue to do so as we head towards winter,” Mr Hunt said.
“That’s why I encourage all Victorians take care of themselves and keep regular check-ups with your GP or specialist and get your COVID-19 booster and annual flu shot. For more minor ailments, visit your local Priority Primary Care Centre.”
