Thursday, 24 March 2022

Eastern Metropolitan Region

Dr BACH (Eastern Metropolitan) (12:43:543:): (1718) I have a question this afternoon for the Minister for Ambulance Services. What new actions will the minister urgently undertake to prevent ramping at Eastern Health? I recently undertook a community survey across the electorate of Box Hill, and I received so many responses regarding our health crisis—many about the 000 crisis that has led to numerous Victorians ultimately dying after being left on hold for up to 20 minutes and numerous concerns about ongoing ramping in our region. I want to put on record again my utter admiration for the wonderful staff of Eastern Health. They are being let down, however, by this government. Victorians cannot decide when they need an ambulance. I needed an ambulance last year to take me away from this place, and I was treated, by the way, by an outstanding paramedic from Box Hill. My constituents deserve to know that when they are unwell, when they are critically unwell, they will get the care they need from our wonderful nurses and doctors. New action needs to be undertaken in order to protect the health and wellbeing of my constituents. What is the minister going to do?