The Allan Labor Government is improving safety across Victoria's health system - with more than 107,000 Victorians now receiving safer, better care as part of the landmark 100,000 Lives Program.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today welcomed the release of the latest progress report on program - led by Safer Care Victoria (SCV) - which shows major improvements in patient care across the state in 2024/25.
The newly released report shows the program has exceeded its original goal, improving care for 31,698 Victorians in the past year alone.
Launched in 2021, the program brings together SCV and health services to collaborate on projects that enhance patient safety, reduce avoidable harm and address disparities, especially in regional and diverse communities.
One of these projects includes the Enhancing Stroke Care Collaborative - a partnership between hospitals and Ambulance Victoria to reduce treatment times for stroke patients in EDs and improve their chances of recovery.
This is done by streamlining a pre-notification system which allows paramedics to alert hospitals before arrival and improving coordination between paramedics EDs, CT units, and stroke specialists.
Early results show this work is achieving faster average stroke patient treatment times including speeding up patient scans (reduced by six minutes), the delivery of thrombolysis (reduced by seven minutes), and removal of clots in the brain (reduced by 11 minutes).
The program also supported improved health outcomes for kids needing emergency care through consistent use of the Safer Care for Kids Victorian Children's Tool for Observation and Response (ViCTOR) Chart.
The chart is a set of tools used to identify when a child's health is deteriorating and encourages clinicians to seek and respond to family or carer concerns early.
Piloted at eight health services and now being rolled out across the state, this reform has delivered better monitoring and escalation of care to more than 4,400 children, with results showing:
- parents and carers have been asked about their concerns 31,482 times
- deterioration-related clinical incidents involving children have reduced by 30 per cent
- 99 per cent of children are now having their vitals recorded using the correct age-specific ViCTOR chart.
Backed by a $58.3 million investment from the Labor Government, the 100,000 Lives program has delivered 19 improvement projects over the past four years.
To view the latest report, please visit safercare.vic.gov.au/publications/100000-lives-impact-report-2024-25.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"100,000 Lives is a testament to the dedicated healthcare workers across Victoria - by supporting them to innovate and upskill we're reducing pressure on acute services and improving partnerships across the system."
"Victoria has a world-class health system, and this program is ensuring every Victorian receives the safe, high-quality care they deserve, no matter who they are or where they live."
