Virtual care helping paramedics arrive faster

New Ambulance Victoria data shows paramedics are getting to the most critically ill patients faster in the Grampians Region than they were a year ago.

Grampians Regional and Clinical Operations Director Peter Jenkins said performance improved thanks to more paramedics and people in the community accessing alternative and ‘virtual’ care services.

“July to September saw ambulances across Victoria called to 96,594 Code 1 cases – 2,002 more than a year ago – making it the fourth busiest quarter in our history,” Mr Jenkins said.

“Despite this high demand, ambulances arrived at ‘lights and sirens’ cases on average 23 seconds faster than a year ago and 52 seconds faster than the previous quarter.

“Our dedicated paramedics do an amazing job delivering world-class care, and Victoria has the best cardiac arrest survival rates in Australia.”

From July to September, paramedics across Victoria responded to 66 per cent of Code 1 cases within the state-wide target of 15 minutes – up from 61.7 per cent for the previous three months, and 64.3 per cent a year ago. As a result, the state-wide average response time to Code 1 emergencies dropped to 15 minutes and 12 seconds.

Compared to a year ago, in the Grampians Region, performance has improved in the Moorabool, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack, Ballarat, Ararat, Golden Plains, Horsham and Hepburn Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Mr Jenkins said more paramedics were safely referring people to the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), which is supporting patients to get the most appropriate care at home and easing pressure on the whole health system.

“This avoids unnecessary trips to hospital and helps us get back on the road quicker to attend more life-threating emergencies,” Mr Jenkins said.

“Since October 2021, paramedics have referred more than 47,000 patients to the VVED, while a further 2,500 have been referred to the VVED following assessment by our Secondary Triage team.”

Acting Chief Operations Officer Anthony Carlyon thanked the community for helping reduce demand by saving Triple Zero (000) for emergencies and accessing alternative care options for less urgent healthcare.

“There are lots of places to get timely, non-urgent health advice. If it is non-life-threatening, you can connect directly with emergency doctors and nurses at the VVED from anywhere in Victoria, at any time,” Mr Carlyon said.

“Other options also include your local Priority Primary Care Centre, your GP or pharmacist, or Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24.

“While ambulances are always provided to patients when required, about one in five calls to Triple Zero (000) do not need an emergency ambulance response. Every call that isn’t an emergency puts significant strain on our crews to reach those who need us the most, which is why we’ve tripled the size of our Secondary Triage team.

“As a result, 500 or more cases every day are being safely matched to services that better suit their needs while also avoiding emergency dispatch.”

In the Grampians Region:
• Paramedics attended 53.2 per cent of Code 1 patients within 15 minutes In the Hindmarsh LGA – up from 43.8 per cent a year earlier which is the fourth largest improvement in the state.
• Compared to the previous year, response times to Code 1 patients were one minute and nine seconds faster in the Yarriambiack LGA.
• In the Horsham LGA, paramedics attended 79.5 per cent of Code 1 patients within 15 minutes – the second-best result in the state.
• In the Ballarat LGA, paramedics attended 79.4 per cent of Code 1 patients within 15 minutes – the third best result in the state. Response times to Code 1 cases were 18 seconds faster compared to a year ago.