Ambulance response times improve

Bass Coast had the biggest improvements in Ambulance Victoria (AV) response times, with paramedics attending 58.2 per cent of Code 1 patients within 15 minutes - up from 54.5 per cent a year ago.

According to figures released by AV, the result saw the average Code 1 response time in Bass Coast decreased by one minute and 16 seconds, with Bairnsdale also improving response times.

Gippsland Regional Director Ross Salathiel said in the Gippsland Region, paramedics and first responders responded to 6,102 Code 1 cases between January and March 2026.

"The quicker response times are thanks to the incredible efforts of our hard-working crews who are clearing hospital more than 10 minutes faster than a year ago," Mr Salathiel said.

"When we leave hospital faster, we can get back out into the community faster - and that means better outcomes for patients facing critical life-threatening emergencies."

Hospital clearing times are the duration between an ambulance crew completing their patient handover and being available to attend another case.

The average clearing time in the Gippsland Region has dropped from 27.7 minutes between January and March 2025 to 17.2 minutes between January and March 2026.

The latest performance data shows improvement across Victoria with emergency ambulance crews responding to 66.4 per cent of Code 1 cases within the state-wide target of 15 minutes between January and March this year, up from 65.1 per cent in the previous quarter.

The statewide average response time to Code 1 cases was 15 minutes and 28 seconds - 12 seconds faster than the previous three months.

Mr Salatiel reminded people to access urgent care services appropriate to their medical needs that free up paramedics and first responders for the most critical, life-threatening emergencies.

"If you need urgent healthcare but it's not life-threatening, we encourage you to consider Victoria's range of urgent care services," Mr Salathiel said.

"There are many free and fast options people can access when you need timely medical care and health advice, at any time of the night or day, including the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), Nurse-on-Call or Urgent Care Clinics.

In a life-threatening emergency always call Triple Zero (000) immediately.