Victoria's Q3 median ED wait times the lowest on record

Victoria’s quarter three performance data (January–March) has shown improvement across the health system. In the state’s EDs, the median wait time is down to 14 minutes, which is the lowest on record and a five-minute improvement compared to before the pandemic. In a release on the data, the Victorian Government said this improvement comes amid continued demand — with more than 500,000 presentations in the last quarter, including a rise in complex presentations, with 8000 more high acuity patients compared to the same time last year.

Data reveals that the state’s paramedics continue to face high demand, with more than 95,000 time critical ‘lights and sirens’ cases — a figure that is more than 1000 cases every day and 31.8% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Also revealed by the data is that 65.6% of Code One cases were attended within 15 minutes. This is an increase from 64.9% in the previous quarter. There was also improvement in the average Code One response time, which is 15 minutes and 25 seconds.

Regarding planned surgery, the data shows that 100% of Category One patients once again underwent their procedure within the clinically recommended wait time, while faster care was recorded for semi-urgent Category Two and non-urgent Category Three patients. The state government cites 23 Patient Support Units, two new public surgical centres and 12 Rapid Access Hubs as investments geared towards driving down planned surgery waitlists.

“Our dedicated healthcare workforce should be proud of all they are doing — this quarter we have seen significant improvements across the system, even as we face record demand,” Victoria’s Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas said. “From faster emergency care, shorter planned surgery wait times and improvements in Code One ambulance response times — our investments in the workforce and alternative urgent care options are delivering better outcomes for patients across Victoria.”

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