According to a new report, the ambulance ramp in Victoria could have been associated with at least 70 preventable deaths in 2018.
The findings, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, looked at more than 200,000 people taken to Victorian hospitals for non-traumatic chest pain between 2015 and 2019.
The research found that once patients were increased for another 17 minutes, their chances of dying in the next 30 days increased.
A new study has focused on the ambulance ramp in Victoria. (A topical issue)
“Ramping” is where paramedics have to keep caring for patients while they wait for a hospital bed to be free.
The Victorian government has consistently said that the current crisis in the healthcare system is the result of unprecedented demand due to COVID-19 and the flu.
However, this research shows that system stress occurred much earlier.
Acting Ambulance Victoria CEO Anthony Carlyon has appeared in the media this afternoon to say the organization is “concerned” about the report.
Acting Ambulance Victoria CEO Anthony Carlyon has said the organization is concerned. (new)
“We want our patients to receive care at the time they need it,” Carlyon said.
“We recognize that the report provides some evidence that we need to do more.”
Carlyon said the entire Victoria healthcare system needed to “work harder” to improve current problems with patient care.
She said Ambulance Victoria was “doing everything” to support her paramedics, including offering psychological support and meals.
Answering questions about the health care system today, Prime Minister Daniel Andrews insisted that COVID-19 had caused the problems.
“This is not a matter of money,” he said.
“This is about the staff and if the staff is sick, they can’t go and take care of sick patients.”
With the dissolution of the state’s COVID-19 response team tonight, the Australian Defense Force is expected to stop helping the Victoria ambulance meet demand.
Members of the Defense Forces have been driving ambulances for months.