Tuesday, 6 August, 2024
Visitor warning for Mount Donna Buang
The future of futsal somewhat secured
Commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Just another hurdle Hurdler and Mooroolbark local Tayleb Willis cemented his ‘second chance’ place in the 110m hurdles on Sunday 4 August, finishing in fifth place during his first heat on the Paris stage. As the only Australian competing in the 110m hurdles, Willis proved his determination, going up against some of his idols. Looking to defend the Australian record held by his coach Kyle Vander-Kuyp, Willis will look to achieve this on Tuesday 6 August at 6.50pm local Paris time. Should he finish well, it will see the 21-year-old progress to the semi-final. To read more, turn to page 33 Australian hurdler Tayleb Willis in lane two competes in the Men’s 110m Hurdles Round one at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games on Sunday 4 August. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Response slows 12707472-AV32-24
The most recent quarterly data from Ambulance Victoria (AV) has shown an increase in response times to lights and sirens emergencies, meaning it is taking longer for paramedics to reach high risk patients. A state-wide target of responding to a Code 1 call within 15 minutes or less was only reached in 64.2 per cent of cases, with the average response time in the Yarra Ranges exceeding the expected timeframe by more than three minutes.
AV metropolitan regional director Michael Georgiou said the quarter from April to June was the busiest quarter on record, with over 102,000 Code 1 cases. “That’s nearly 5,000 more ‘lights and sirens’ cases compared to same time last year and a huge 35.2 per cent more Code 1 cases before the pandemic five years ago,” Mr Georgiou said. With a push coming from the Victorian Ambulance Union to improve conditions for paramedics and to change the system to ensure paramed-
ics are not sent to low acuity cases as a priority, AV executive director regional operations Danielle North said the ambulance service constantly monitored demand and ambulance availability, while working with hospitals to transfer patients quickly and get ambulances on the road sooner. “We also review and adjust the ambulance call taking and dispatch grid, based on research, clinical expertise and our large body of clinical data, to ensure it remains suitable for the Victorian environment,” Ms North said.
“We continue to work with our partners at Triple Zero Victoria to support the call taking and dispatch process, noting that about one in five calls to Triple Zero (000) do not need an emergency ambulance response.” This quarter’s figures were said to have been impacted by seasonal illness including the flu, Covid-19 and RSV. To read more, turn to page 3