By Matthew Sims
Western Metropolitan MP Kaushaliya Vaghela has called for an update on the state government’s efforts to improve the state’s healthcare system and particularly the systems in Melbourne’s west.
She moved an adjournment matter directed towards Health and Ambulance Services Minister Martin Foley during the Legislative Council sitting on Wednesday, June 8.
Ms Vaghela said the state is facing an “acute healthcare crisis”, which was brought to a head when Ambulance Victoria issued a code red on Friday, May 27.
“Though the crisis was addressed within an hour, this is still a tremendous catastrophe for the government,” she said.
According to recent data, one third of urgent code one ambulance patients waited beyond the target time in the first quarter of the year.
Ms Vaghela highlighted the 30.8 per cent increase in the code one case load in Wyndham compared to the same time last year.
“Cases in Wyndham make up 3.52 per cent of the statewide code one demand, the fifth busiest LGA in Victoria,” she said.
“This system is meant to respond to emergencies, so it must be subjected to rigorous testing.
“While there is no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused enduring effects to the healthcare system, the government must do better.”
