More Code 1 Patients attended in faster time this winter
November 1, 2017in News
Ambulance Victoria paramedics responded faster to patients this winter despite more demand in one of the worst ever flu seasons.
Paramedics reached 79.5 per cent of Code 1 (time-critical) patients within the target of 15 minutes in the three months to 30 September 2017.
This was a 2.9 per cent improvement on the same time last year despite an extra 830 Code 1 cases. The average response time to Code 1 cases also improved – the average response time of 12 minutes and 14 seconds was 26 seconds faster than the same period last year.
‘Ambulance Victoria CEO Tony Walker said the period covered the peak of one of the worst flu seasons on record and showed that Ambulance Victoria and the health system coped.
‘These performance results show significant improvements as a result of transformational reforms and significant investment in ambulance services,’ Associate Professor Walker said.
‘Our role in distributing ambulances across the hospital system also helped patients to be seen quicker and released ambulances to respond to time-critical emergencies.
‘Increasing patient demand, more complex needs, changing community expectations and the likelihood of more major incidents and extreme weather events will continue to test our organisation,’ Associate Professor. Walker said.
‘The work we have completed this year and our new five-year Strategic Plan put Ambulance Victoria in our best position to rise to these challenges and deliver on our commitment to the Victorian community.’