On Saturday night, Ambulance Victoria issued a Code Orange alert. This decision followed an unprecedented spike in demand for ambulances across metropolitan Melbourne and Greater Geelong. The alert means that the service is currently facing record high call volume, with almost 2,100 calls accepted that night. This call volume is significantly higher than their daily average of 2,000 calls per day. It paints a troubling picture of an overwhelming spike in need and mounting demand.
The Spring Racing Carnival and a made-up long weekend added to the surge of emergencies. Memorial Day weekend often brings a spike in alcohol-related crashes, injuries, and deaths. The most frequent calls reported involved cases of chest pain and falls, raising concerns about public health during this busy period.
High Demand for Services
Ambulance Victoria has been experiencing extreme demand in recent days. Emergency Services officials have pleaded with the public to reserve Triple Zero for life-or-death emergencies only. Change.org reports being inundated with calls on this issue. In order to ease these pressures, they ask Victorians to consider alternative options for help, such as virtual emergency departments.
Chief Executive Jordan Emery, focused on the Emergency Triaging that Triple Zero Victoria was able to do at the height of peak saying,
“That team was working really hard yesterday and took about 20 percent of the calls out of the system and avoided an emergency ambulance responding.”
This pre-emptive strategy has been key to balancing paramedics’ growing caseload. It allows for those with the most essential needs to be seen the soonest.
Combined with the unprecedented call volume, hospitals across the entire region are facing major operational hurdles. The Royal Melbourne Hospital and other emergency departments in tertiary hospitals were seeing a surge in patients, overwhelming emergency departments. The Monash Medical Centre later sent an apology notice to affected patients. They must be ready for a potential four-hour wait for care by early Sunday morning.
Health Risks and Safety Measures
Local authorities are especially worried about the health risks that come with the warmer weather. A spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria noted that the warmer weather tends to make more people faint. This is especially the case for marginalized populations such as the elderly and those with underlying health issues.
“Particularly today with the much warmer weather, we know that there’s an increased risk of people having episodes like fainting or particularly the elderly or people with pre-existing conditions becoming unwell.”
This announcement further highlights the need for clear and consistent public messaging and health guidance, especially during times of peak demand.
During the launch, Mr. Emery appealed to the public to consume less alcohol. He cautioned people to avoid high-risk activities, such as drinking and driving, that may result from the increased calls. He stressed the importance of staying hydrated and checking up on friends to avoid preventable emergencies this holiday season.
“We really ask people to moderate their intake, to not drink and drive but also to remain hydrated and keep an eye out on your mates so they can stay safe and not end up in the back of an ambulance this weekend.”
Government Support
The Victorian government has committed additional resources to support Ambulance Victoria’s services, allocating $58 million in this year’s state budget. This funding will help EMS agencies increase operational capacity at a time when they are experiencing unprecedented demand for emergency medical services.
Even with these efforts, there are still challenges as Ambulance Victoria still must juggle the high call volume surge capacity demanded in busy periods. Frontbencher Sonya Kilkenny praised the hard work of paramedics who have been stretched thin but continue to provide essential services under pressure.
