New quarterly performance data shows an ambulance service that is dangerously ill-equipped to deal with demand, according to the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW).
Quarterly healthcare data published by the Bureau of Health Information yesterday has shown the worst response times from NSW Ambulance in the last five years.
"Over the last quarter, only 54% of emergency cases were reached by a Paramedic within 15 minutes of a triple zero call. We all know that when it comes to these highest priority cases, extra minutes can become a matter of life or death" said APA (NSW) President Chris Kastelan.
"We all like to assume that when our loved ones really need an ambulance, we will get one in a timely fashion. What these numbers show is that in NSW, this is no longer the case.
"These performance figures paint a woeful picture, and every resident of NSW would be right to be alarmed."
The BHI report shows a 3.4 percentage point decrease in this category when compared with the equivalent quarter in 2019. For P1A calls—the highest priority category, including issues such as cardiac events—there was a 3.2% decrease in calls receiving a response within 10 minutes.
The union has blamed Ambulance's poor performance on inadequate resourcing, warning that these numbers represent a broader trend in provision of emergency services across NSW.
"NSW Ambulance is running a service that can barely meet today's demands, even as these numbers tell us that demand is growing rapidly for Paramedic sevices.
"Last year's final quarter was the busiest recorded in the last five years. But NSW Ambulance have failed to significantly increase baseline operating numbers since 2011. What do they think is going to happen when they aren't rostering enough Paramedics to meet demand?
"An overworked and under-resourced service means that patients are at risk, and it means that Paramedics are missing breaks, working overtime, and even missing out on scheduled times to get their COVID vaccine.
"The data paint a clear picture: NSW Ambulance is falling dangerously behind."
APA (NSW) has called on NSW Ambulance to urgently increase their Minimum Operating Levels to ensure sufficient ambulances are on the road for patient and Paramedic safety.
"As Paramedics we are tained to provide an exceptional standard of care, and the public rightfully expect that from us. Ambulance are letting staff and patients down by mismanaging triage and inadequately staffing stations around NSW" said Mr Kastelan.
