Wednesday, 1 May 2024

Ministers statements: health system

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:44): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government’s record investment in health is supporting our hardworking, dedicated and committed healthcare workers to deliver better health care for all Victorians, with the latest quarterly data showing big improvements across key measures.

Two years ago, at the height of the pandemic’s impact, our quarterly data reported that 27,000 planned surgeries had been delivered. Contrast that with the quarter just passed and we have almost doubled that number, with 51,000 Victorians receiving planned surgery and 99.99 per cent of the most urgent surgeries delivered within 30 days. Our $1.5 billion COVID catch-up plan has worked; the number of Victorians waiting for planned surgery is now at its lowest level since the pandemic began.

Our government’s investment is also helping Victorians access faster emergency care. Our paramedics continue to respond to a record number of call-outs, with demand 33 per cent higher than it was before the pandemic. In the last quarter our paramedics responded to 96,460 code 1 call-outs, and median response times are now sitting at 11.8 minutes. Our hardworking paramedics have also delivered the best response times in three years. I am also pleased to report that our emergency departments are treating patients 5 minutes faster than they were before the pandemic. Once again this is despite record demand.

The Allan Labor government is delivering. We are delivering real outcomes for real people, real patients – not fake patients. If you have any questions about fake patients, they are best directed to the member for Polwarth, who has questions to answer on this matter.

Richard Riordan interjected.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Polwarth will remove himself from the chamber for an hour and a half.

Member for Polwarth withdrew from chamber.

David Southwick: On a point of order, Speaker, there are a number of unanswered points and questions for the government. Firstly, there is one for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, question on notice 1109 on rail patronage. To the Minister for Transport Infrastructure there is question ‍1009 on Glen Huntly farmers market; question on notice 1108 on station patronage and new stations; and an adjournment matter, 581, on fixing noncompliant tracks near Glen Huntly station. To the Minister for Education there is a constituency question, 580, on improper influence of radical teachers in classrooms. Finally, there is an adjournment to the Premier, 561, on stronger police powers to tackle hate.

The SPEAKER: Could you hand your list to the clerks, please, member for Caulfield, just so they do not miss anything.

Chris Crewther: On a point of order, Speaker, I wish to raise a couple of questions I have asked in this place that are overdue: question 554, due on 6 April, calling on the Minister for Education to deliver STEM upgrades and redevelop Mount Eliza Secondary College; and question 595, due on 19 ‍April, calling on the Minister for Police to increase funding, support and resources for the Mornington police. Speaker, can you please direct these ministers to answer these questions and reiterate their urgency?

The SPEAKER: I ask the member for Mornington to hand his list to the clerks. I ask members if they have long lists of points of order to make sure that the clerks have a copy.