Faster Care For More Victorians Across The State

The Allan Labor Government is making it easier and faster for Victorians to get the care they need.

Backed by Labor’s investments, ambulance transfers and emergency department wait times have once again improved in the most recent quarter (January to March).

Victoria’s EDs saw more than 501,100 presentations – higher than the same time last year.

There has also been an increase in sicker patients presenting to hospital – Category 1-3 ED presentations have grown 3.3 per cent compared to last year.

Despite this, EDs continue to deliver rapid care with a median wait time of just 14 minutes, and the most critically ill patients are always seen immediately.

Paramedics are also getting back on the road sooner with the median ED transfer time now just 25 minutes.

These results are backed by Labor’s ongoing investments, including more short stay beds and handover standards.

Overall, demand for ambulance services remained high, but stable over the quarter, with response times improving.

Paramedics responded to more than 94,000 Code 1 “lights and sirens” callouts – with a median response to patients within 12 minutes.

Victoria’s dedicated health workforce is continuing to improve planned surgery wait times.

All urgent Category 1 patients have once again been treated within the clinically recommended time frame, and the median wait time for all categories has dropped another five days.

Category 2 and 3 surgery wait times have also remained steady.

These results are backed by ongoing record investments – because only Labor invests in health.

This year alone, the Victorian Budget 2026/27 is making the biggest investment ever in frontline care, with a $32.3 billion investment in health.

This includes investments to expand virtual and home care options, easing pressure on EDs and paramedics, and saving Victorians time and money.

Jess Wilson has a plan to cut more than $40 billion from the budget – and our health system will bear the brunt.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Harriet Shing

“Despite increasing demand, our dedicated workforce continues to provide world-class care to Victorians, when, where, and as they need it.”

“Jess Wilson’s $40 billion Liberal cuts plan will destroy the progress that we know is delivering more and better health care every single day for Victorians.”

“A Liberal One Nation Coalition will slash the health workforce, blow out wait times, and make it harder and more expensive for Victorians to get the care they need, closer to home.”