Big drop in ambulance ramping

• Ramping in the past six months down almost 28 per cent last year's figure
• Improvement despite 10 per cent increase in presentations at metro EDs
• Number of patients arriving by ambulance increased 12.5 per cent

New data from WA Health shows ambulance ramping for the past six months is well below levels for the same time one year ago.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the continued reduction in ambulance ramping and the longer-term downward trend was good news for patients.

"Our emergency departments continue to treat more patients than ever before with 287,961 presentations to metropolitan emergency departments from August 1, 2011 to 31 to January 2012, an increase of 10 per cent on the same time one year ago," Dr Hames said.

"Of these 287,961 attendances 55,852 patients arrived by ambulance - an increase of 6,185 or 12.5 per cent compared to the same time one year ago."

Ambulance ramping for the same period reduced significantly from 4,312.9 hours to 3,110.4 hours - a reduction of 1,202.5 hours or almost 28 per cent.

"This is an excellent achievement and further proof that initiatives like the Four Hour Rule Program are making a positive difference in our hospitals. We want to continue to see paramedics being able to hand over patients to emergency department staff and get back on the road more quickly," the Minister said.

The State Government allocated an additional $149.6million over four years to increase the capacity and improve the responsiveness of emergency ambulance services provided by St John Ambulance Western Australia.

Metropolitan Ambulance Service general manager Julian Smith said any decrease in ramping times had a positive effect on the service SJAWA provided to the State.

"Improved ramping times means our paramedics spend less time waiting at Emergency Departments and are more readily available to respond to all callouts," Mr Smith said.

      Fact File

• To see daily ramping figures, visit http://www.health.wa.gov.au/emergencyactivity/daily/ramping.cfm
• An ambulance is considered 'ramped' if it has been at a hospital emergency department for more than 20 minutes. The patient is taken into the hospital and receives a basic assessment of their condition under the care of paramedics

Minister's office - 6552 5755