Ambulance response times are on the improve in Melton, despite dealing with one of the worst flu periods in memory.
On average, Melton recorded a 5.1 per cent or 43 second improvement on the same period last year.
But the times remain the slowest in the west.
Figures for July 1 to September 30 show 74.4 per cent of ambulances responded within 15 minutes in Melton, with the average time 12 minutes and 48 seconds.
Ambulance Victoria’s benchmark for life-saving code 1 responses is 85 per cent arriving within 15 minutes.
The average response times from fastest to slowest across the western suburbs were Maribyrnong (10.31), Moreland (11.09), Brimbank (11.10), Hobsons Bay (11.19), Moonee Valley (12.01), Hume (12.16), Wyndham (12.29) and Melton (12.48).
Ambulance Victoria chief executive Tony Walker said the period covered one of the worst flu seasons on record.
“Our role in distributing ambulances across the hospital system also helped patients to be seen quicker and released ambulances to respond to time-critical emergencies,” Mr Walker said.
He said the likelihood of more major incidents and extreme weather would continue to test the system.
Steve McGhie, a spokesperson for the Victoria branch of Ambulance Employees Australia, said the latest figures were a mixed result for Melton.
“It is pleasing to see in the Melton area that the trend has now moved to a positive direction where response has improved by 43 seconds comparing to the same time last year,” Mr McGhie said.
“This means that paramedics in Melton are arriving at very ill patients quicker and saving more lives.
“The government, Ambulance Victoria and paramedics have worked collaboratively to bring response times down.
“But clearly there still is much more work to be done in the Melton area to achieve the benchmark figure of 85 per cent code 1 responses in less than 15 minutes.”
