A second-tier medical emergency service has been able to help free up the state’s ambulance crisis for more serious emergencies, by attending to over 27,000 cases in regional Victoria over the last four years.
Ambulance Victoria’s Medium Acuity Transport Service (MATS) crews have responded to more than 100,000 cases state wide during that time.
MATS began in September 2021 to respond to less-urgent calls, allowing ambulances to attend more critically ill patients.
MATS crews also attend more serious calls when needed to support emergency ambulance resourcing.
Euroa’s nearest MATS crew is in Shepparton.
Ambulance Victoria executive director of regional operations Danielle North said MATS crews were making a ‘big difference’.
“Our MATS crews are helping emergency ambulances be available for the sickest or most injured patients by bridging the gap for those who require an ambulance, but (for whom) it is not life-threatening,” Ms North said.
“Our MATs crews on average attend more than 80 cases every day – with some of the cases including patients with chronic conditions, falls, or inter-hospital patient transfers.
“That is a lot of time saved for other paramedic crews to respond to the most critical cases.”
MATS crews are made up of a graduate paramedic and a qualified paramedic, providing the very best response to Code 2 and 3 patients.
Ms North said the partnering of paramedic recruits with experienced paramedics helped develop the next generation of paramedics.
“This gives an opportunity for our senior paramedics to impart invaluable knowledge gained through their years of experience to their new colleagues.”
