Ambulance response times released for Barwon South West

PARAMEDICS and first responders in the Barwon South West Region crews responded to 7,165 Code 1 cases between July and September.

Across the state, performance against the 15-minute target for Code 1 cases improved in 59 of Victoria’s 79 Local Government Areas (LGAs) compared with the previous quarter.

In the Barwon South West Region, the biggest improvements were in the Glenelg, Colac Otway, Moyne and Warrnambool LGAs.

Regional highlights included:

• Over the three months, Code 1 response times decreased by one minute and 49 seconds in the Colac-Otway LGA, one minute and 33 seconds in the Moyne LGA, and 34 seconds in the Warrnambool LGA.
• In the Warrnambool LGA, paramedics attended 83.8 per cent of Code 1 patients within 15 minutes – the best result in the state, and
• The Greater Geelong LGA was the second-busiest in the state, with paramedics attending 4,985 Code 1 cases between July and September – or five per cent of the total Code 1 workload.

Barwon South West regional director Terry Marshall said Ambulance Victoria continued to work with hospitals to transfer patients as quickly as possible and ensure all Victorians received the right care at the right time.

“Our expert Secondary Triage team of nurses and paramedics also make a real difference by connecting patients with the care they need while helping free up crews for patients in time-critical emergencies.

“From July to September, 41,142 people who did not need an emergency ambulance were instead connected to more appropriate care by paramedics and nurses in Secondary Triage.

“In 2023-24, paramedics referred nearly 43,000 patients to the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), with over three quarters cared for without transport to a physical ED.”

Mr Marshall said it was also important that everyone did their part – if the matter is not an emergency, people should consider using alternative care options and keep paramedics available for patients most in need.

“In less urgent cases, there are many options people can access when they need timely medical care and health advice all day every day – but not an emergency ambulance or calling Triple Zero (000).

“This includes the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, Urgent Care Clinics and other options such as your GP or pharmacist, or Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24.”