ED wait times better despite record demand

QUARTERLY data from the Victorian Agency for Health Information has revealed that patients presenting at Victorian emergency departments were seen eight minutes faster than before the pandemic during the reporting period, despite experiencing the highest demand in history.

More than 40 per cent of hospitals also improved how quickly they transfer patients from ambulances (offloading), while Ambulance Victoria reported almost 100,000 Code 1 cases during the quarter, with 64.9 per cent responded to within 15 minutes.

This was more than 3000 additional Code 1 incidents than in the same period last year.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said despite facing record demand, the public health system’s doctors, nurses, midwives and paramedics continue to provide world-class healthcare to Victorians.

“We’re continuing to invest in our hospitals – growing the workforce, delivering more beds and reforming how our health services work together – to reduce pressure on EDs and our paramedics,” she said.

Victorian Health association CEO Leigh Clarke said the performance data continues to demonstrate the health sector’s resilience through enduring challenges.

“It’s very positive to see Victoria’s hospitals responding well to increases in demand,” she said.

“These improvements are being driven by the hard work and dedication of the health sector and supported by a range of innovative models of care. The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and urgent care clinics (for example) have likely reduced emergency department presentations and cut wait times while keeping care in the community, ensuring resourcing and staffing can be better allocated across acute services.”

The State’s 29 urgent care clinics and the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department have treated a combined 1.1 million patients since both launched in 2022.