After enduring an “unacceptable” nine and a half hour wait for an ambulance, a man from Mawson, ACT, was eventually transported to the hospital by New South Wales paramedics. This incident occurred because the ACT Ambulance Service reached its critical capacity, according to the man’s partner.
The ACT Ambulance Service has acknowledged the complaint and stated that it will undergo a comprehensive internal review. This situation highlights ongoing capacity issues, with an agency spokesperson confirming that ACT ambulance stations were closed nearly 70 times between April 2024 and October 2023.
Details of the Incident
Robyn Vest, 83, recounted to The Canberra Times that she dialed triple zero at approximately 11 PM on Friday, December 5. Her partner, who suffers from heart and cancer conditions, began bleeding, prompting the emergency call. Despite the urgency, paramedics did not arrive at their retirement village until 8:30 AM the following morning.
Ms. Vest was informed that the ACT Ambulance Service was “working at capacity,” leading her to expect a delay of an hour or so. However, the wait extended to over nine hours. She provided the call-taker with a brief health history, noting her partner’s previous cancer surgeries and a pacemaker installation due to heart failure earlier in the year.
“It should have been [treated as] an emergency,” Ms. Vest expressed, adding that a cardiologist later confirmed her partner’s symptoms were heart-related. “We were only one [case]. Did anyone else [wait] that long too? Why haven’t we got enough paramedics to operate the ambulances?”
Response from Emergency Services
An ACT Emergency Services Agency (ACT ESA) spokeswoman confirmed that assistance from NSW Ambulance was requested on Saturday, December 6. “Given the close proximity between the ACT and NSW, it is common for NSW Ambulance and ACT Ambulance to support each other in responding to incidents,” she explained.
Additionally, it was reported that the Dickson ambulance station was closed between 11 PM and 6:30 AM on December 5 and 6, with only three stations operating single officer response units. ACT Ambulance chief officer David Dutton emphasized the service’s commitment to addressing concerns while maintaining patient privacy.
Systemic Challenges and Historical Context
A recent review of the ACT Ambulance roster revealed significant understaffing during night shifts, with an average shortfall of 96 percent, necessitating at least 83 more paramedics for full operational capacity. The report highlighted nightshift coverage as particularly problematic, often resulting in station closures.
Following the review, Deborah Morris MLA inquired about the frequency of these closures. The response indicated that ambulance stations were closed 68 times over 18 months, with the Dickson station closed 13 times and Fyshwick station 12 times between July and October this year. Most closures occurred between 11 PM and 9 AM, totaling 173.5 hours across four months.
“Nightshift coverage was singled out as particularly problematic, leading to frequent station closures … ” the report stated.
Looking Forward
The situation underscores the urgent need for systemic improvements within the ACT Ambulance Service. The agency’s reliance on neighboring NSW Ambulance highlights the critical nature of the staffing shortfall. As the internal review proceeds, stakeholders and the public await actionable solutions to prevent such delays in the future.
Meanwhile, the ACT government and emergency services must address these capacity issues to ensure timely and efficient medical responses, particularly for vulnerable populations. The outcome of the internal review and subsequent policy changes will be crucial in restoring public confidence in the region’s emergency services.
