Paramedics responded to around 100,000 critical code one emergencies over three months, with 698 recorded in Campaspe and 145 in Gannawarra.
In Echuca, 243 code one emergencies were responded to, and 85.2 per cent were attended within 15 minutes or less, AV’s statewide response time target.
Across Campaspe, 55.7 per cent of code one emergencies were responded to within 15 minutes, and 42.1 per cent were responded to in the same time frame in Gannawarra.
The statewide average was 64.9 per cent, representing an average response time of 15 minutes and 42 seconds.
Loddon Mallee regional director Matt McCrohan said AV was continually working with hospitals to promptly transfer patients.
“We know there is more work to do,” he said.
Mr McCrohan said 84 new graduate paramedics had been employed since November, and a further 15 recruits would join AV soon.
New technology will be introduced this year to improve the speed of completing electronic patient care records.
“Our expert secondary triage team of nurses and paramedics also make a real difference by connecting patients with the care they need while helping free up crews for patients in time-critical emergencies,” Mr McCrohan said.
“From October to December, 43,864 people across Victoria who did not need an emergency ambulance were instead connected to more appropriate care by paramedics and nurses in secondary triage.”
Mr McCrohan encouraged Victorians to do their part to ensure AV’s highly skilled paramedics were available for patients most in need.
“In less urgent cases, there are many options people can access when they need timely medical care and health advice all day every day,” he said.
“This includes the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, Urgent Care Clinics and other options such as your GP or pharmacist, or Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24.”