AMBULANCE VICTORIA STRATEGIC PLAN 2010 – 2012

Equity in Service Delivery
There are inherent difficulties in the provision of ambulance services in remote
areas and areas with lower population densities. The Government’s response
time targets reflect these difficulties, with one target for population centres of
more than 7,500 people, and a somewhat lesser target for the State overall.
Continuing improvements in air ambulance and retrieval systems, including
the introduction of two new helicopters in 2009, will assist in providing better
access to appropriate levels of care across the State.
Nevertheless, a number of key areas have been identified where differentials
in service standards are of particular concern. Cardiac arrest survival rates in
rural areas are well below those achieved in the metropolitan area. This is not
surprising given the importance of rapid response in cardiac arrest outcomes.
However, a more complete understanding of the reasons for the difference is
needed and new strategies to improve performance need to be developed.
Call taking, dispatch and ambulance communications systems play a
critical role in the quality of service delivery. There have been important
improvements in these systems across the State in recent years, but rural
call taking and dispatch systems remain well below best practice standards.
The introduction of a new rural system managed by the Emergency Services
Telecommunications Authority will be a key priority for the planning period.
Another important focus will be further development of an integrated statewide
major incident management system, ensuring there is appropriate capability in
all parts of the State.
Risk of major incidents
AV’s major incident system has been tested by a number of recent events,
including the 2009 bushfires, and has proved its effectiveness. However,
learning from these experiences to strengthen systems is essential to ensure
an appropriate level of preparedness for response to all types of incident
(including pandemic) is maintained. Monitoring risk and close collaboration
with the relevant planning and response agencies at all levels of government
are cornerstones of the system. Further strengthening of national links is a
particular priority for future development of the system. Another key aspect
is the ability to maintain normal services while managing a major incident,
especially if it is prolonged.
Evidence Based Practice
The introduction of the Victorian Ambulance Clinical Information System
was one of the most significant ambulance initiatives in the State in the last
five years. VACIS provides a rich source of clinical data which can assist
in driving the development of clinical practice and education. A number of
other Australian services are now using VACIS, creating the opportunity for
national sharing of consistent data. Linkages with hospital data are also being
established to provide a more complete picture of patient outcomes. Ensuring
the full benefits of this data are realised is an on-going priority.
More generally, quality systems and performance monitoring will continue
to evolve, with particular focus on patient outcome measures. Further
development of AV’s role in pre-hospital research, usually in partnership with
universities or other health services, will also assist in strengthening the
evidence base for service improvement.
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