By Matthew Sims
Ambulance average response times in Hobsons Bay have remained above the recommended time, according to new Ambulance Victoria [AV] data for the July to September quarter.
AV’s latest performance data for the period between July and September revealed the average response time for code one incidents in Hobsons Bay, which includes all life-threatening incidents, was 15 minutes and 10 seconds.
Across the 1342 first responses across Hobsons Bay, 63.3 per cent arrived within 15 minutes, which reflected a 1.9 per cent increase in the proportion of cases attended to within 15 minutes compared to the March to June quarter.
The average code one response time in Maribyrnong increased to 14 minutes and 51 seconds from 14 minutes and 27 seconds during the previous period across 1150 first responses.
The data also reflected a 3.3 per cent decrease in the amount of cases attended to within 15 minutes compared to the previous quarter.
Ambulance Victoria clinical operations executive director Anthony Carlyon said the July to September quarter was the busiest first quarter and the second busiest quarter on record.
“Together with the previous quarter, this was by far the busiest and most challenging winter ever,” he said.
“Our paramedics and first responders worked tirelessly to keep delivering world class care.”
Paramedics responded to 64.3 per cent of code one cases within the state-wide average target of 15 minutes, improving from 64 per cent in the previous quarter.
Mr Carlyon said AV had been hard at work to deal with unprecedented high levels of demand.
“We’re working hard to relieve pressure across the health system,” he said.
AV’s data has shown that AV responded to code two cases in Hobsons Bay within an average of 49 minutes and 19 seconds, which was an increase on the previous quarter’s average response times of 46 minutes and one second, while Maribyrnong’s response times also increased from 47 minutes and 58 seconds to 49 minutes and 15 seconds.
