Labor and the Greens say Tasmania's health system is in crisis after a second death linked to a delayed ambulance this month. A man in Zeehan who reported chest pain and breathing difficulties died after a crew from Burnie arrived 78 minutes after he called Triple Zero. The local station was unstaffed due to unfilled leave, and nearby paramedics were busy with other cases. Health Department figures show about 11 per cent of paramedic shifts have been unfilled since July last year.
A man in his 60s died on Tasmania's west coast while waiting for an ambulance that took nearly 80 minutes to reach him. He called Triple Zero from the Zeehan area on Saturday, reporting chest pains and breathing problems. The Zeehan ambulance was unstaffed because of an unfilled roster gap, and nearby crews were attending other calls, so an ambulance from Burnie was sent. It arrived about 78 minutes after the call, but the man had already died. The Department of Health offered its condolences and said a comprehensive investigation will be held.
Labor says the Tasmanian government has budgeted 44 per cent less for paramedic overtime this year than it spent last year. Right to Information data obtained by Labor shows paramedics worked 125,725 hours of overtime in 2025-26, costing $12.7 million. The government has budgeted $7.1 million this year. Labor MP Sarah Lovell said the cut forms part of Treasurer Eric Abetz's plan to take $700 million out of the health budget and could mean fewer ambulances on the road. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government had been employing more paramedics and was responding to rising demand.
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The family of a 51-year-old man who died at his Annerley home while waiting two hours for an ambulance says they learnt of the delays through the media. His brother Daniel said the family wants to know whether something could have been done. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said he was told of the death on Monday and apologised to the family. Opposition leader Steven Miles blamed ramping in Queensland hospitals. A review of the incident has been ordered.
A review has been launched after a 53-year-old man died at his Annerley home in Brisbane while waiting two hours for paramedics. He had called Triple Zero on Saturday night with chest pains. Separately, a man in his 80s died shortly after going into cardiac arrest, following about three hours waiting for a bed at Mater Private Hospital. Health Minister Tim Nicholls offered condolences and said both cases would be reviewed. Ambulance ramping stands at 42 per cent across Queensland's top 26 public hospital emergency departments.
A 53-year-old man died at his home in Annerley, Brisbane, after waiting around two hours for paramedics following a triple-0 call reporting chest pain. He was triaged in the Code 1C category, described as potentially time-critical, and an operator phoned back about five minutes later, when he reportedly said his condition was unchanged. The Queensland Ambulance Service has offered its condolences and says a review is underway, though it is limited in what it can disclose. Health Minister Tim Nicholls described the circumstances as tragic and said lessons would be applied if identified.
An investigation has been launched after a man in his late 40s died shortly after his family drove him to the Royal Hobart Hospital because no ambulances were available. The family called Triple Zero twice, and the second call upgraded the case to Priority 1. The Department of Health said the man died after arriving at the hospital. The Health and Community Services Union said three ambulances were ramped at the hospital at the time. The Premier described the incident as very serious and tragic. Opposition parties and the Greens criticised government health funding.
A one-year-old girl has died after being hit by a car in Smythesdale, south-west of Ballarat in central Victoria. Emergency services were called to Vermont Road at about 1:20pm. Ambulance Victoria said the child was in a critical condition and was flown to The Royal Children's Hospital, where she later died. Police are investigating the circumstances and will prepare a report for the coroner. Smythesdale is a town of about 1,800 people, roughly 25 kilometres from Ballarat.
A one-year-old girl has died after being hit by a car in Smythesdale, south-west of Ballarat in central Victoria. Emergency services were called to Vermont Road at about 1:20pm. Ambulance Victoria said the child was in a critical condition and was flown to The Royal Children's Hospital, where she later died. Police are investigating the circumstances and will prepare a report for the coroner. Smythesdale is a town of about 1,800 people, roughly 25 kilometres from Ballarat.
NSW Ambulance has deployed 11 newly trained Extended Care Paramedics across the Sydney region. The paramedics can treat patients whose needs can be safely managed without a trip to an emergency department. They can also be sent to areas with high demand, including those recovering from severe weather or incidents involving many patients. Health Minister Ryan Park said the new class would boost emergency care available to communities across Sydney. This is the 27th Extended Care Paramedic course run by NSW Ambulance since the program began in 2007.
Two Carlton AFL players have been hospitalised in Melbourne, the club says. Lachie Cowan and Will Hayward were admitted to hospital on Sunday under separate circumstances. Ambulance Victoria said a man in his 20s was taken to The Alfred Hospital with upper body injuries after an incident in South Yarra, in a stable condition. The club said Cowan received treatment and observation before being discharged, while Hayward had a minor head cut from a fall and received stitches before going home. The club is in regular contact with both players.
South Australia's ambulance union warns of another record ramping month after up to 16 ambulances were ramped at Lyell McEwin Hospital. Paramedics faced high demand, with priority 3 patients waiting up to 20 hours. Opposition health spokesperson Jack Batty said all metro hospitals were at or over 125 per cent capacity, with no emergency beds available. The state government blamed the aged care crisis and increased emergency department presentations.
Volunteer ambulance officers in Pinnaroo, South Australia, have walked out in protest after a colleague was stood down. Rob Berlin, a volunteer for nearly 50 years, was removed from duty amid administrative allegations. The Pinnaroo station, which relies entirely on volunteers, serves a population of about 760 people. The South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) has stated it is committed to investigating the allegations fairly.
