Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:33): (230) My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, last Tuesday at 5:10 pm a 75-year-old went into cardiac arrest. 000 was called and the case was classified as code 2, with an ambulance taking 50 minutes to arrive. I understand, sadly, that it was too late and the man died. Given the patient was in cardiac arrest, why was this not classified as a code 1 emergency?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:34): Ms Crozier, it is horrible to learn of a person who has passed away in those circumstances. The question that you have posed is an operational question. I have not been provided with information about the specifics of that case. If you want to forward my office some details, then I can ask ESTA for a response and provide you with greater detail, subject to any privacy concerns.
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:34): Minister, I appreciate that response. Minister, how many misclassifications in ambulance dispatch have occurred in the last two years that have led to catastrophic sentinel events such as this?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:34): Ms Crozier, as I indicated, I am more than happy to take advice in relation to this matter. I am not sure whether it was a misclassification; I have not examined the case. I am happy for you to provide greater detail. I think we should start there before we start categorising matters as misclassifications, when there is not enough information in the details that you provided and I do not have the information that would enable me to respond fulsomely to the question that you have asked.