Ambulance Victoria has come under fire after a Bacchus Marsh woman called triple-0 for an ambulance and was sent a taxi.
The 29-year-old woman called for an ambulance about 7.30am last Monday after suffering stomach pains while she was home alone.
Andrew Porter, father of the woman’s partner, has lodged a complaint with Ambulance Victoria over the incident.
Mr Porter said he arrived home while the woman was on the phone and spoke to the operator when he heard there was a two-hour wait for an ambulance and a taxi would be dispatched from Ballarat.
“She was curled up in a foetal position, had punctured breathing and was pasty,” Mr Porter told 3AW.
“I thought the operator was cavalier, flippant – I was really surprised at the tone on the other end of the phone.
“At some point they’re going to get this wrong and it will cost a life.”
Ambulance Victoria emergency operations executive director Mick Stephenson said the case was being reviewed and that
“in exceptional cases” a taxi could be dispatched.
“We have contacted the patient as part of this review to discuss any concerns,” he said.
“All calls to triple-0 are assessed on their severity and Ambulance Victoria always prioritise emergency ambulances to the sickest patients first. Through our social transport policy, taxis can only be arranged for patients in exceptional circumstances when non-urgent care is required but the patient has no other means of transport.”
The woman was treated for a severe bladder and urinary tract infection.
A recent review by Ambulance Victoria of its revised clinical repsonse model found that “an estimated 50,000 cases every year that would have received an emergency ambulance are now being correctly referred to an alternate health service or provided with self-care advice”.
Earlier this month, eight integrated Country Fire Authority brigades, including Melton, completed training so firefighters can assist in life-threatening medical emergencies.
Ballarat and Bendigo will be among other brigades to develop this capability later this year.
