The Barwon South West region experienced record-breaking numbers of emergency calls over a winter of surging seasonal illnesses.
Ambulance Victoria (AV) crews in the region responded to 74144 Code 1 cases between July and September, a 3.47 per cent increase from last winter and a 1.2 per cent increase from the previous quarter.
Acting executive director of regional operations Michael Georgiou said the three month period was AV’s busiest first quarter on record and the second busiest quarter ever, with more than 101,000 Code 1 emergencies.
“Winter consistently brings the highest emergency call volumes, and this year was no exception,” he said.
“The entire health system was extremely busy with seasonal illness. We are incredibly proud of our highly skilled paramedics and first responders for the exceptional care they provide their communities, all day, every day.
“Despite this record demand, we continue to lead the way in pre-hospital patient care, including the best cardiac arrest survival rates in Australia and third best anywhere in the world.”
Local response times showed some improvements from last year, with paramedics attending 75.8 per cent of Code 1 patients in Drysdale-Clifton Springs within 15 minutes.
That figure is up from 68.8 per cent a year ago, the biggest improvement in the state for major population centres.
Barwon South West Regional Director Stuart Reid said the support of the community could also help save lives, encouraging those who needed help but were not in a life-threatening situation to consider the most appropriate care for their situation.
“Our paramedics are focused on reaching the sickest patients first, but every day, about one in five calls to Triple Zero (000) do not need an emergency ambulance response,” Mr Reid said.
“Getting the right care fast can make all the difference and means more paramedics are on the road for people who need our urgent lifesaving care the most.
“There are many options people can access when they need timely medical care and health advice, at any time of the night or day – but not an emergency ambulance or calling Triple Zero – including the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, urgent care clinics, Nurse-on-Call, GPs and pharmacists.”
In a life-threatening emergency always call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
