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Ambulance Services in Victoria
Emergency ambulance services are available to all Victorians who are seriously ill or severely injured due to accident or illness.
When a person dials 000 in an emergency, a series of events are activated which can lead to the dispatch of an ambulance where one is required. Not everyone who phones 000 requires an urgent ambulance response. Ambulances are dispatched and prioritised according to the medical urgency of the patient’s condition.
In Victoria emergency ambulance services are provided exclusively by Ambulance Victoria. Ambulance Victoria was created in 2008 from the amalgamation of the three former services. In addition to its primary role as provider of emergency ambulance services, Ambulance Victoria also provides non-emergency patient transport services.
Government Investment Initiatives
The State Government is investing an additional $413.1 million over four years in ambulance services. The 2011-12 state budget will see ambulance subscription fees for families and singles halved, 340 new paramedics recruited (including 30 patient transport officers), more mobile intensive care ambulances (MICA) and the commencement of a motorcycle paramedic unit pilot program.
An earlier investment of $64 million will see over 100 new paramedics recruited to the outer growth areas of Melbourne.
Halving the cost of ambulance subscription fees
The 2011-12 State Budget will ensure all Victorians can afford to access vital ambulance services by halving the cost of Ambulance Victoria (AV) membership for singles and families. Funding of $241 million over four years will halve the cost of Ambulance Victoria membership to help families struggling with rising living costs, encourage more Victorians to join and ensure they can access ambulance services whenever required without concern of cost.
Recruitment of 340 new ambulance officers
$151 million will be spent on recruiting 310 new paramedics to the Ambulance Service, as well as 30 new patient transport officers. As part of this recruitment, more than two hundred paramedics will be allocated to regional Victoria. Paramedics will be placed in areas of greatest need to ensure timely access to ambulance services for all Victorians.
Motorcycle Paramedic Unit
A total of $3.2 million over three years will help pilot an innovative Motorcycle Paramedic Unit (MPU) in metropolitan Melbourne. The dedicated motorcycle paramedic unit will carry life-saving drugs and equipment and will be able to respond rapidly to emergencies in and around inner Melbourne. The unit will be established on a trial basis and reviewed after three years.
Upgrade & build ambulance stations
This $16 million investment will deliver new rural ambulance stations and upgrades to existing rural ambulance stations. These new and upgraded facilities will provide 24 hour roster coverage in their local areas, significantly improving ambulance response in rural Victoria.
Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Single Responder Units
Funding of $1 million will deliver vehicles for ten MICA Single Responder Units (SRUs) across major regional centres, including Warrnambool, Horsham, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Sale, Bairnsdale, Wonthaggi and Swan Hill. The units will be staffed by highly qualified MICA paramedics who will focus on providing care where and when their specialised skills are needed.
