Ambulance response times improve throughout Hume

By Contributed

May 26, 2025

Ambulance Victoria Code 1 response times have improved in the Hume Region. Photo by Megan Fisher

Ambulance Victoria’s response times to critical emergencies have improved across the Hume region.

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Code 1 cases are now receiving attention 17 seconds faster than the previous quarter.

AV executive director of regional operations Danielle North said ambulance service demand had fallen by 4.5 per cent in the January to March period compared to late 2024, but there had been a rise in Code 1 cases.

“Despite the drop this quarter, we have seen a 31.8 per cent increase in Code 1 cases since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than five years ago,” Ms North said.

“After three quarters in a row close to or above 100,000 Code 1 cases, the first quarter of 2025 brought some welcome relief for our crews who were called to 95,321 Code 1 emergencies."

The first quarter of 2025 saw emergency crews respond to 65.6 per cent of Code 1 cases within the 15-minute target, up from 64.9 per cent in the previous quarter.

Average response times improved to 15 minutes and 25 seconds, down from 15 minutes and 42 seconds.

“We welcome the new Standards for Safe and Timely Ambulance and Emergency Care for Victorians, which seek to improve system-wide patient flow so that patients can be transferred into a hospital in a timely way, and paramedics are back on the road and responding to the community,” Hume regional director Narelle Capp said.

Since November, the service has recruited 119 new paramedics across the state, including graduates and qualified paramedics from interstate and New Zealand.

The service also welcomed its largest intake of 30 Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance intern paramedics earlier this year.

Across regional Victoria, AV will be rolling out iPads to all its crews to make it more efficient to complete electronic patient care records.

Ms Capp encouraged Victorians to do their part to ensure AV’s highly skilled paramedics were available for patients most in need.

“There are many options people can access when they need timely medical care and health advice but don’t need an emergency ambulance, including the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centres,” Ms Capp said.

“We know demand on our hard-working paramedics and first responders will rise as we head towards winter.

“That’s why we also urge Victorians to book in their annual flu vaccination, keep regular check-ups with your GP or specialist and stay home if unwell — we can all help to protect ourselves and people most at risk in the community.”