Emergency communication services
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:05): (375) My question is for the attention of the Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, two weeks ago Marianne Maher’s partner rang 000 after she woke in the early hours with no feeling in her foot, pins and needles, a fever and pain radiating up her leg. With no response from an ambulance and her pain worsening, her partner called 000 another four times, only to be told an ambulance was on its way. Four hours later an ambulance arrived, but it was too late and Marianne had to have her leg amputated, otherwise sepsis would have caused her death. After five calls to 000, why did the call taker say that an ambulance was on its way when clearly it was not?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:06): I thank Ms Crozier for her question – indeed a very tragic experience for the woman involved. What I can say in relation to this matter is that Ambulance Victoria have certainly made an apology for the time it took to respond to this patient. AV, as you would appreciate, is the responsibility of another minister, but I can confirm that they are conducting a review to better understand the circumstances. They have reached out to the individual and family, and they are committed to providing them with answers as they progress with the review. ESTA have reviewed the case and advised that there were no call-answering delays. As you would appreciate, 000 operators process calls based on the information they are provided by each caller and based on protocols that are agreed to with the responding agencies.
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:07): Minister, it is Victoria in 2023 and a woman in excruciating pain who clearly needs an ambulance cannot get one. She loses her leg as a result. You have just said that AV have made an apology and are conducting a review. My question to you then is: will you ensure, as a senior member of government, that that review is made public so that we can understand the catastrophic failings of why this occurred?
The PRESIDENT: Ms Crozier, I will give you, if you would like, a chance to rephrase that, because the Minister’s answer will be it is outside her remit.
Georgie CROZIER: Okay. Minister, it is Victoria in 2023 and a woman in excruciating pain who clearly needs an ambulance cannot get one. She loses her leg as a result. Minister, I presume you have had discussions with the Minister for Ambulance Services about the catastrophic failings that have occurred. Will you also speak to the minister to ensure that the review that you have just cited will be made public?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:08): Ms Crozier, it is not a matter for me in relation to what material –
Members interjecting.
Jaclyn SYMES: I actually think that the woman involved is probably the one that would want to know whether her personal information should be made public or not. I am sure that the Minister for Health will keep an eye on our question time and take on board your comments.