Victorians urged to leave Triple Zero for emergencies, as paramedics are stretched to the limit

Victorian paramedics are being stretched to the absolute limit, with a “code red” called for the second time in a space of a week overnight.

And calls clogging up the Triple Zero emergency hotline from people who shouldn’t be ringing the emergency-only number aren’t helping.

Olga Bartasek from the Victorian Ambulance Union told 3AW Drive as many as half of all calls being made to Triple Zero were for non-urgent queries.

She said there were multiple examples of people ringing Triple Zero asking where to find rapid tests, what to do after receiving a test saying they’re COVID-positive, or with questions about the vaccine.

Press PLAY below to hear Olga Bartasek on 3AW Drive

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