Name: Code orange issued as ambulance demand peaks in Victoria
Uploaded: 2025-11-02T06:54:53.793Z
Duration: 1 min 36 s
Description: The public is being urged to only call an ambulance in an emergency with health services under pressure. A code orange was issued in Victoria signalling overwhelming demand for paramedics, with a number of callouts not being urgent..

The public is being urged to only call an ambulance in an emergency with health services under pressure. A code orange was issued in Victoria signalling overwhelming demand for paramedics, with a number of callouts not being urgent..

Melbourne

Ambulance Victoria has experienced a surge in calls, with around 800 requests for help that could have been managed by alternative health services. The increase in demand, attributed to warmer weather, public events, and a long weekend, has led to paramedics being diverted from life-saving emergencies to attend to minor issues such as cold and flu symptoms.

The service received over 2,000 calls in recent days, prompting the deployment of extra crews and the declaration of a Code Orange after call volumes exceeded expectations. Authorities are urging the public to use alternative care options for non-emergencies to ensure ambulances remain available for critical incidents.

Code orange issued as ambulance demand peaks in Victoria

Around 800 calls for help that could have been treated by other health services. Paramedics diverted away from providing life-saving services for minor issues. We have patients presenting with cold and flu-like symptoms, with chest infections, with headaches. Ambulance Victoria says the warmer weather, the races and the long weekend for many ahead of Cup Day is increasing demand, receiving more than 2,000 calls from the public in the past few days. Alcohol consumption, but as well as the elderly and people with comorbid conditions or pre-existing health conditions are at greater risk in this warmer weather. Another issue, triple zero call takers issuing Code 1 lights and sirens responses for less serious matters. It is a risk-averse system. We'll be having the first of a series of working group meetings with the unions, with paramedics, to really try and address this tricky issue and ensure that those Code 1 cases really are reserved for life-threatening emergencies. Ambulance Victoria placed extra crews on the road to manage the anticipated rising call-outs during the Spring Racing Carnival. But with 100 extra calls above what they had planned for, a Code Orange was declared last night. If it's not an emergency, consider one of many other alternative arrangements, which would be the virtual ED, the urgent care clinics or of course, nurse on call. Freeing up an ambulance that could save a life. A drowning, a serious motor vehicle accident, a cardiac arrest, that's where we want our paramedics to be available. Caitlin Dugan, 10 News.

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