Cade Lucas
Ambulance response times in the inner-west increased towards the end of last year, the latest data shows.
Ambulance Victoria’s quarterly performance data shows that for the three months to December 2024, response times for code 1 cases in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay were both slower than at the corresponding point in 2023, with a lower percentage arriving within the 15 minute target time as well.
Average response times for critical code 1 cases in Maribyrnong were more than a minute slower than a year earlier and the number arriving within 15 minutes dropped seven per cent.
From a total of 1315 code 1 call outs, Maribyrnong’s average response time for the quarter was 15.33, down from 14.16, with 63.7 per cent arriving within 15 minutes, compared to 70.8 per cent.
Both metrics were also worse than those recorded in the previous quarter from July to September, despite slightly fewer cases.
Hobsons Bay had 1366 code 1 call outs in the December quarter, with an average response time of 16.45, almost 90 seconds slower than the average a year earlier of 15.17.
The percentage arriving within 15 minutes dropped to 58.9 per cent from 63.2, though a was slight improvement on the 58.7 per cent in the previous quarter.
While average response times in Maribyrnong where better than the statewide result of 15.42, those in Hobsons Bay were more than a minute slower.
Both recorded a lower percentage of responses within 15 minutes than the statewide result of 64.9 per cent.
Overall, the December quarter was AV’s fourth busiest on record with 99,799 code 1 call outs statewide, the third quarter in a row close to or above 100,00 cases.
Ambulance Victoria (AV) executive director regional operations Danielle North said the high number of cases explained the slower response times.
“We have seen a 26.6 per cent increase in Code 1 cases since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than five years ago,” said Ms North, adding that help was on the way.
“AV continues to work with hospitals to promptly transfer patients and ensure all Victorians receive the right care at the right time.
“More new paramedics have also hit the road to help meet demand. Since last November, we have welcomed 84 new graduate paramedics to our ranks and a further 15 new recruits will start soon.“
