Ambulance Victoria report reveals why taxis are being used as back-up ambulances

Victorians calling triple-0 for medical care are ending up in taxis because the ambulance service is at “breaking point”, an alarming report has revealed.

Ambulance Victoria said in some cases taxis will be used if the patient’s medical condition is not urgent, they do not require any pre-hospital care or supervision and they have no other means of private transport.

Almost 10,000 people a year are being transported for medical care in taxis after calling triple-0, it has been revealed.

The Department of Health has confirmed that in 2020-2021 9,651 patients, or 25 people a day, were sent a taxi instead of an ambulance after calling for help.

The figure has doubled since 2018 sparking concerns that taxis are being used to help ease the load of the state’s struggling ambulance service.

Recent internal Ambulance Victoria reports, seen by the Herald Sun, show the service remains at breaking point and is continuing to perform at its worst level in more than six years.

New figures show thousands of Victorians have been taken in taxis for medical care. Picture: Ian Currie

Response times have blown out with the service struggling to cope with heightened demand.

Victorian Ambulance Union General Secretary Danny Hill backed the use of taxis where appropriate, saying it meant more paramedics and ambulances free to respond to emergency cases.

Mr Hill said he “completely supported” the use of taxis in non critical cases.

“We just need every single crew available. We would encourage those options to be used more,” he said.

“Crews are still telling us daily that they are being ramped regularly.”

Ramping – where ambulances queue at hospitals waiting to hand over patients – has seen crews taken off the road for up to 14 hours in recent weeks, Mr Hill said.

Paramedics’ union boss Danny Hill.

Ambulance response times have blown out due to greater demand.

Shadow minister for Ambulance Services, Georgie Crozier, said such a dramatic spike in taxi use was alarming.

“Taxi drivers aren’t paramedics, yet the Andrews Labor Government continues to send sick Victorians to hospital in taxis,” she said.

“When people call triple-0 for an ambulance, they don’t expect a taxi to arrive. Yet, this is what is happening under the Andrews Labor Government.

“Sick Victorians are being left behind by the Andrews Labor Government and health outcomes are worse as a result.”

In 2018 Ambulance Victoria warned Victorians with less severe health complaints should get used to being given alternative ways to get to medical help other than an ambulance.

It followed an overhaul of its triage system aimed at prioritising ambulances for critical cases.

Ambulance Victoria Executive Director Operational Communication Anthony Carlyon said experienced paramedic and nurse clinicians always discussed the option of a taxi with the person requiring transport.

“Not all calls through to triple-0 (000) require an emergency ambulance,” he said.

“In the first three months of 2021 alone, there were more than 36,000 callers to triple-0 (000) who did not need an emergency ambulance and were instead connected to more appropriate care through Ambulance Victoria’s Secondary Triage Service.

“In some instances, and in discussion with the people requiring transport, Ambulance Victoria will organise a taxi if their medical condition is not urgent, they do not require any pre-hospital care or supervision, and they have no other means of private transport.

“Every call for assistance that isn’t an emergency puts significant strain on our crews to reach those who need it most,” he said.

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