AMBULANCE services in Victoria’s fastest growing region are about to receive a major boost, with new peak-period units to open at Tarneit next April and Wyndham Vale in 2014.
As reported by the Weekly, response times have blown out by almost two minutes in Werribee and nearly 1½ minutes in Hoppers Crossing, according to documents obtained by the state opposition.
The figures, which compared the 2009-10 financial year with the 2011 calendar year, were sourced in separate documents from the Victorian Auditor-General and Ambulance Victoria. However, response times across Wyndham still met the 15-minute state benchmark.
Ambulance Employees Association Victoria branch secretary Steve McGhie attributed the increasing response times to huge workloads, which he said was pushing paramedics to the limit. One Wyndham paramedic, who did not want to be named, told the Weekly crews were often on the road for an entire shift, without any opportunity for a break.
“As soon as we transport a patient to hospital, we’re being hurried up to go to another job. The Point Cook crew might go to Altona or the city and be the closest to a job in Broadmeadows and then be the closest to one in Heidelberg, so we’re ping-ponging across Melbourne, sometimes leaving our region uncovered,” he said.
Wyndham’s prognosis now appears brighter with the new units, which will typically operate from 9am-9pm, to include six paramedics each.
Ambulance Victoria metro-west regional manager Simon Thomson said population changes were a major consideration when determining locations for new services and paramedics.
“This planning information means that a Tarneit branch will commence in April 2013 and we’re in the process of locating another suitable site for the Wyndham Vale area which will be up and running in 2014,” Mr Thomson said.
