AMBULANCE VICTORIA STRATEGIC PLAN 2010 – 2012

Community expectations and capabilities
There is a clear recognition in the Victorian community of the contribution
paramedics make to its well-being. However, there are opportunities to
improve services and increase access for specific communities through a
better understanding of their needs.
Environmental responsibilities
Environmental change has the potential to impact on AV service delivery,
most obviously by increasing the risk of major incidents such as bushfire or
pandemic. More subtle impacts on the patterns of demand may also occur.
These impacts clearly need to be factored into AV planning.
There have been a number of recent initiatives to improve links with
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities and the Aboriginal
community and to improve staff awareness of community diversity.
Work will continue with these groups to further strengthen relationships;
collaborations with patient groups with special clinical needs will also be
extended. Working with the Department of Health and local communities
to identify opportunities to improve ambulance services and contribute to
better health system performance in specific geographic locations will be
another important priority.
Engagement with the community has also been focused on improving
community capability and preparedness to manage an emergency.
Current programs include targeted promotion of CPR skills and a range of
schools programs, and these will continue to develop.
At the same time, AV has placed increasing emphasis on implementing more
environmentally sustainable practices. However, there is significant scope for
improvement to ensure the organisation meets appropriate environmental targets.
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There are more than twenty five Community Emergency Response Teams
across the State, providing invaluable access to early initial treatment and
support for career paramedics. Ambulance Community Officers also play
a critical role in AV’s emergency response in more remote areas. Further
developing support systems to ensure the sustainability of AV’s volunteer
response capability will be a high priority during the planning period.
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