Fresh data on paramedic response times has been released, showing figures in our region are worsening.
A report detailing those numbers was made public by Ambulance Victoria on Wednesday, May 20th.
According to the data, the average wait-time for Code One patients in Bendigo from January to March of this year was 15 minutes and three seconds.
That figure is 23 seconds more than what was recorded during the same period in 2025, and comes despite a fall in the number of Code One incidents being reported.
Average response times in Maryborough have also increased over the past 12 months, adding nine seconds (15:42 to 15:51) while Castlemaine saw a rise of four minutes and 12 seconds (14:36 to 18:48).
All three areas also fell short of a response-time target imposed by the state government.
70.6 percent of Code One patients were responded to within 15 minutes in Bendigo, 74.1 percent in Maryborough and 60.1 percent in Castlemaine – the latter’s figure having dropped by nearly 11 percent.
The target for Victorian population centres with more than 7,500 people is 90 percent.
Statewide, the figure was a marginal improvement from 65.6 percent in March last year, to 66.4 percent in the latest reporting period, while average wait-time increased by just three seconds to 15:28.
Ambulance Victoria’s Executive Director of Regional Operations, Michael Georgiou is crediting that figure to new “Standards for Safe and Timely Ambulance and Emergency Care”, introduced last year.
“We are working closely with hospitals, emergency services and government partners to apply the Standards and keep patients moving through the system as quickly as possible,” Mr Georgiou said in a statement.
“AV’s Triage Services team – staffed by nurses and paramedics – also plays a vital role by connecting people with the right care and freeing up ambulances for life-threatening emergencies.
“From January to March, 49,508 people [statewide] who did not need an emergency ambulance were instead connected to more appropriate care by our expert Triage Services team.
“And our Medium Acuity Transport Service (MATS) crews are also freeing up more ambulances to respond to the most critically ill patients.
“These crews have attended more than 127,000 cases since hitting the road in September 2021.”
Reckon a local issue needs more attention? Our newsroom is waiting to receive your tips through BendigoNews@ARN.com.au
