News

The Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated (VAU) has received a significant number of complaints from members about the recent move by Ambulance Victoria (AV) to reduce the ambulance turnout time target from 90 seconds to 71 seconds.

The turnout time is the time from the dispatch of the case to the time that the ambulance becomes mobile towards the case. Most members exceed AV’s targets. However, there are often reasons that may influence someone not meeting this target such as branch layout, waking from sleep on nightshift, using the toilet, donning PPE, replacing equipment, locking drug safes, awaiting case details or waiting for a partner.

Most states in Australia have a turnout time target of 90 seconds to 3 minutes. None have a turn-out time target of less than 90 seconds.

We are in the middle of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our members should be entirely focused on their safety and the safety of their colleagues and patients.

Now is not the time to intensify the pressure on already exhausted crews by trying to make them race to the truck to satisfy a KPI.

This change should have been properly consulted with staff however the first that most members were informed about the new target was when they were told they were not meeting it.

The VAU has written to AV CEO Tony Walker and to the Victorian Government seeking that the implementation of the new 71 second turn out time be retracted. This process can be re-evaluated after the pandemic and should be subject to a proper consultation process. Members will be informed of the response.

The VAU encourages members to always put your safety before KPI’s and resist the urge to sprint to the ambulance. Now is when your focus should be on getting to your patients safely and efficiently rather than just recklessly fast.

In solidarity