Pilot to tell patients ambulance wait time, after coroner reveals thunderstorm asthma findings

PATIENTS would be told the wait times of ambulances, after the thunderstorm asthma inquest heard triple-zero operators were instructed to say “an ambulance is on its way”, even when none were available during the devastating 2016 event.

AMBULANCE Victoria will pilot a program which tells patients the wait time of ambulances following the 2016 thunderstorm asthma disaster which claimed the lives of 10 Victorians.

Mick Stephenson, head of Emergency Operations, revealed the program would be launched in the “not too distant future” after coronial findings into the deaths were handed down on Friday.

“We are committed to doing that and work is being done at the present time,” he said.

“It’s difficult because we will always retain the right to upgrade an ambulance to shift it from a low acuity to higher acuity case.”

The inquest earlier revealed emergency calltakers were required to tell patients an “ambulance is on its way” when none were available to unprecedented demands for help on November 21, 2016.

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Hoi-Sam Lau (R), 49, was one of the 10 people who died from the 2016 thunderstorm asthma event. Picture: Supplied

Omar Moujalled, 18, Hope Carnevali (also known as Hope Marsh), 20, and Apollo Papadopoulos, 35, were also among the victims. Photo: Facebook

Coroner Paresa Spanos made no recommendations following the five-day inquest because “so many had already been made and no stone had been left unturned.”

However she highlighted the need for estimated ambulance wait times for patients.

She also highlighted issues with a new script used by Ambulance Victoria emergency call-takers.

It tells patients “help is being arranged” rather than “an ambulance is on its way” when it may not be.

Ms Spanos said it is more accurate but may not put patients in a “better position to make an informed choice about whether to wait for an ambulance or to engage in self-help.”

She also called for further research into the causes of thunderstorm asthma, and medical and community education campaigns.

She noted the “potential for epidemic health impact was not appreciated by first line emergency responders and the public health system” at the time.

The inquest focused on what can be done to prevent more deaths in the case of another thunderstorm asthma event.

Clarence Leo (L), with wife Amanda Leo. Picture: Supplied

Ranjith Peiris, 57, and his wife Ann. Picture: Supplied

Seven men and three women, aged 18-57, died and 14, triple-0 people were hospitalised as a result of the phenomenon.

It was caused by a combination of high pollen, hot temperatures and an afternoon cool change with thunderstorms and winds.

Omar-Jamil Moujalled, 18, Hope Marsh, 20, Apollo Papadopoulos, 35, Clarence Leo, 37, Ling-Ling Ang, 47, Thao La, 48, Hoi-Sam Lau, 49, Priyantha Peiris, 57, Min Guo, 29, and Le Hue Huynh, 46, lost their lives.

The wife of Mr Peiris said it was important for Ambulance Victoria to “just be honest.”

His family believe he could have had a chance at survival had they not waited for an ambulance and drove him to a doctor just two minutes from home.

The inquest earlier heard three who died waited over 30 minutes for an ambulance, twice the statewide target.

Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority received 2332 calls for ambulance assistance between 6pm on November 21 and 6am the next day.

It took as little as 15 minutes for victims to fall into “respiratory arrest” after complaining of symptoms. Asian migrants were particularly vulnerable during the disaster.

About 39 per cent of hospital admissions involved those from India, Sri Lanka or South-East Asia.

Six of the 10 who died were from south or South-East Asia. Why the racial groups were more susceptible is not fully known.

Ms Spanos acknowledged the efforts by Ambulance Victoria, ESTA and the Department of Health and Human Services in reviewing and improving their responses to thunderstorm asthma.