Ash Bolt
Ambulance Victoria’s medium acuity transport service (MATS) is expanding into regional Victoria, with new ambulance crews operating out of the Geelong and Belmont ambulance branches from this week.
The new paramedic team is dedicated to responding to less-urgent emergency calls, freeing up more ambulances for the most critically ill patients.
Ambulance Victoria Barwon South West regional director Tim Maywald said MATS had been a major success after hitting the road in metropolitan Melbourne in September, responding to about 60 cases a day.
“With up to 15 crews on the road each day in metro, MATS crews have responded to 2320 emergency incidents in their first month of operation,” Mr Maywald said.
“That is a lot of time saved for other paramedic crews to respond to the most critical cases so … this is exciting news for our paramedics in Geelong.”
Across Victoria, the MATS service is made up of 22 vehicles and 165 dedicated staff that respond to Code two and three patients.
Mr Maywald said paramedics were working extremely hard to manage the increasing demand while prioritising care to the sickest Victorians.
“MATS teams make a real difference ensuring less-urgent calls get the high expertise and care that the community expects while having a positive impact on workload pressures being experienced by paramedics,” he said.
“MATS teams have also responded to several time-critical cases where they have been the closest available unit, ensuring patients who are in life-threatening situations receive urgent care.”
Mr Maywald said the unique service partnered paramedic recruits with experienced paramedics.
“This gives an opportunity for our senior paramedics to impart invaluable knowledge gained through their years of experience to their new colleagues,” he said.
“At the same time, it provides an enriching on-the-job educational experience and additional pathway for new paramedics.”
Mr Maywald said the MATS teams were one of the first steps in Ambulance Victoria’s plan to improve ambulance performance and deliver even better care to patients across the state.
“MATS crews are being rolled out as part of a $759 million state government investment for more paramedics, more triage care and support staff for Ambulance Victoria, as well as targeted funding to improve flow in our busy emergency departments,” Mr Maywald said.
“On top of MATS, we are also recruiting 56 on-road paramedics to deliver additional services in rural Victoria.”
Geelong MP Christine Couzens welcomed the new service and said it would ensure Geelong received the best care possible when needed.
“The pandemic has had a lasting impact, and right across Australia we’re seeing more ambulance callouts. This new service will ensure people in Geelong continue to have access to the world‑class care they deserve,” she said.
“Geelong paramedics are some of the hardest working in the country and this investment reinforces that we will always back them and the extraordinary work they do.”
