CODE RED: ‘Dire’ situation as ambulances struggle with ‘extraordinary demand’

Ambulance Victoria says the pandemic continues to have an unprecedented impact on the health system.

A surge in demand overnight prompted a “code red”, with people across Melbourne told to expect delays for ambulances.

The situation was downgraded after about three and a half hours.

Acting General Secretary of the Ambulance Union, Olga Bartasek says it doesn’t bode well for the days ahead.

“It doesn’t look great,” she told Emily Power and Jimmy Bartel, filling in for Ross and Russel.

“It was pretty dire for a code red to be alerted.”

Ms Bartasek says furloughed staff and additional demand due to COVID-19 are putting enormous stress on the ambulance system.

“It’s a bit of COVID as well as the fact that there’s just an extraordinary demand on the ambulance service for other general cases,” she said.

Melburnians have been urged not to call an ambulance unless they’re in urgent need.

Press PLAY below to hear what happened last night