Northern Victoria Region
Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (12:47): (983) My question is to the Minister for Health on behalf of constituents who have raised concerns about the lack of ambulances in Northern Victoria. The government has asked hospitals across the state to cut their budgets. According to news reports, Bendigo Health is seeking to reduce their budget by $120 million, and many regional hospitals have been asked to cut their funding, in some cases by over 30 per cent. In Wodonga, Shepparton and Bendigo paramedics are wasting valuable time waiting for a hospital bed to become available. I see ambulances ramped regularly at Bendigo Health. Recently there were eight ambulances ramped, including one from Woodend, one from Echuca and Castlemaine’s only ambulance. At a forum in Bendigo last week a young lady with anaphylaxis said that she called for an ambulance and the CFA turned up first to assist. What is the state government doing to manage the crisis in our health system to ensure that paramedics are available to support those who need emergency assistance?