A growing population that is sicker than ever before is placing unprecedented pressure on the state’s strained health system. This budget paints a grim picture of emergency care: just 65 per cent of code one “lights and sirens” ambulance call-outs are expected to be responded to within 15 minutes this financial year, compared with a statewide target of 85 per cent.
Victorians are also waiting too long to be offloaded from ambulances, and hospitals are failing to meet targets to provide timely emergency department care. To ease these pressures, the budget pumps a record $32.3 billion into Victoria’s health system, with $1.6 billion of additional funding for hospitals and more than $50 million to allow paramedics to deliver faster care.
Victorians are waiting too long to be offloaded from ambulances, the budget reveals.Wayne Taylor
There’s also $284 million to open and expand health services, such as a new emergency department at Werribee Mercy Hospital and additional services at community hospitals in Cranbourne and Craigieburn.
For many years, Victorians have faced lengthy, stressful delays to access colonoscopies in the public system. The budget includes $27 million to fund new equipment and endoscopy access teams to speed up detection and treatment. More than $109 million will be spent over four years to improve access to planned surgery and specialist care for sick children.