Paramedics continue to feel the strain, with triple-0 calls at a record high in the Geelong region, according to new Ambulance Victoria data.
Geelong ambulances witnessed a 19.3 per cent increase in emergency service demand from October to December 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.
Barwon Health emergency department director Dr Belinda Hibble said the number of patients taken to the hospital by ambulance had increased by close to 400 people compared to 2021-22.
“During the second quarter of 2022-23, there were approximately 6400 patients transported via ambulance to the University Hospital Geelong emergency department (ED),” she said.
“Barwon Health has made steady improvements to reduce the time to transfer patients from ambulances into the ED, with a 12-minute improvement in January compared to the second quarter last year.”
Dr Hibble said people should go to their usual doctors with general concerns and leave more serious calls for the ambulance.
“It is important for people to maintain a regular relationship with their treating general practitioner to help prevent illness and manage chronic conditions before hospital care is required,” she said.
Ambulance Victoria’s Barwon South West regional director Terry Marshall said soaring demand, sicker patients, and limited staff had impacted ambulance responses for the second quarter of 2022-23.
Mr Marshall said “life-threatening code one cases” had made up “42 per cent” of triple-0 between October and December and had risen to “46 per cent” in the current quarter.
Jena Carr
