QUEENSLAND RESPONSE TIMES AMONG THE BEST IN AUSTRALIA
Published Thursday, 12 February, 2009 at 02:10 PM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
An independent report shows the response times for Queensland’s emergency services organisations were among the best in Australia, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said today.
Mr Roberts said the Report on Government Services showed that in 2007-08 the Queensland Ambulance Service responded to 50% of all life threatening calls within 8.3 minutes – the best time in Australia.
“Queensland’s response time for the 50th percentile is more than a minute less than the national average of 9.55 minutes and 1.5 minutes under New South Wales’ time of 9.9 minutes,” Mr Roberts said.
“In 90% of code one cases, a Queensland ambulance was on the scene within 16.7 minutes, well below the national average of 18.75 minutes and New South Wales’ 19.9 minutes.
“The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service’s response times for both the 50th and 90th percentile – 6.8 minutes and 12.8 minutes respectively – both showed decreases on the previous year and were on par or better than the national average (7.08 minutes and 12.85 minutes respectively).
“This is a pleasing result for both organisations and shows that we are up there with the best however both will continue to work towards further improvements.”
Mr Roberts said the report showed Queensland had the second highest ambulance officer to population ratio in the country – 52.4 ambulance officers per 100,000 people, well above the national average of 41.1 – and reduced corporate support personnel.
“Just over 12 months ago The Premier and I gave a commitment that we would get the Queensland Ambulance Service back to basics, with less people at head office and more people on the front line,” Mr Roberts said.
“This report demonstrates perfectly that we have achieved what we set out to do.
“The proportion of operational staff increased by 3.4% from 77.6% in 2006-07 to 81% in 2007-08.
”This shows the significant structural shift that has taken place from the bureaucracy to the frontline.
The QAS’ staff attrition rate of 4.2% is the second lowest in Australia and well below the national average of 4.9%, while it also scored the highest satisfaction rate in Australia with 99% of code one and two patients surveys being very satisfied or satisfied with the service they received, up from 98% 12 months ago.
Mr Roberts thanked QAS and QFRS personnel for their efforts.
“This report highlights the great work that our ambulance officers, firefighters and those who support them are doing out in the community every single day of the year and I say ‘thank you’ on behalf of all Queenslanders,” he said.
“The Bligh Government is committed to supporting our emergency services to further enhance the service they provide to the community.
“The Report of Government Services proves that our focus on frontline services coupled with the professional and dedication of staff is getting results for the people of Queensland.”
Media contact: (07) 3247 8997
Mr Roberts said the Report on Government Services showed that in 2007-08 the Queensland Ambulance Service responded to 50% of all life threatening calls within 8.3 minutes – the best time in Australia.
“Queensland’s response time for the 50th percentile is more than a minute less than the national average of 9.55 minutes and 1.5 minutes under New South Wales’ time of 9.9 minutes,” Mr Roberts said.
“In 90% of code one cases, a Queensland ambulance was on the scene within 16.7 minutes, well below the national average of 18.75 minutes and New South Wales’ 19.9 minutes.
“The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service’s response times for both the 50th and 90th percentile – 6.8 minutes and 12.8 minutes respectively – both showed decreases on the previous year and were on par or better than the national average (7.08 minutes and 12.85 minutes respectively).
“This is a pleasing result for both organisations and shows that we are up there with the best however both will continue to work towards further improvements.”
Mr Roberts said the report showed Queensland had the second highest ambulance officer to population ratio in the country – 52.4 ambulance officers per 100,000 people, well above the national average of 41.1 – and reduced corporate support personnel.
“Just over 12 months ago The Premier and I gave a commitment that we would get the Queensland Ambulance Service back to basics, with less people at head office and more people on the front line,” Mr Roberts said.
“This report demonstrates perfectly that we have achieved what we set out to do.
“The proportion of operational staff increased by 3.4% from 77.6% in 2006-07 to 81% in 2007-08.
”This shows the significant structural shift that has taken place from the bureaucracy to the frontline.
The QAS’ staff attrition rate of 4.2% is the second lowest in Australia and well below the national average of 4.9%, while it also scored the highest satisfaction rate in Australia with 99% of code one and two patients surveys being very satisfied or satisfied with the service they received, up from 98% 12 months ago.
Mr Roberts thanked QAS and QFRS personnel for their efforts.
“This report highlights the great work that our ambulance officers, firefighters and those who support them are doing out in the community every single day of the year and I say ‘thank you’ on behalf of all Queenslanders,” he said.
“The Bligh Government is committed to supporting our emergency services to further enhance the service they provide to the community.
“The Report of Government Services proves that our focus on frontline services coupled with the professional and dedication of staff is getting results for the people of Queensland.”
Media contact: (07) 3247 8997