Save ambulances for emergencies

AV chief executive Jordan Emery said ambulances needed to be used sparingly for less urgent situations.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring paramedics are available to respond to the sickest people in our communities,” he said.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in code one cases, on average 100 more each day compared to just a few months ago.

“This increase in life-threatening cases means we need to respond lights and sirens to administer life-saving medical care — and we can’t do that if ambulances are being called to less-urgent or avoidable situations.”

Every year, Ambulance Victoria releases quarterly reports on the ambulance response times in each local government area.

In the most recent report, covering the period between Wednesday, January 1 and Monday, March 31, the state target was to reach at least 80 per cent of code one cases within 15 minutes.

However responses fell short of this goal, with only 67.7 per cent of code one responses being met within 15 minutes.

In Loddon, this number was even lower, with 51.4 per cent of the 72 code one responses in the region meeting the 15-minute target.

While AV aims to get to patients as soon as possible, it depends heavily on the availability of ambulances.

AV acting director regional and clinical operations Jessica McGowan urged Victorians to do what they could to avoid emergencies.

“Paramedics do not replace GP care. It is vital that if you are feeling unwell that you seek medical advice as soon as possible, before your illness escalates,” she said.

“Calling an ambulance when you don’t need one could delay help for someone whose life depends on it.”

If in need of health advice or care, without using 000, Victorians can try one of the following: