A young boy from Geelong who suffered a severed finger was forced to be driven to hospital by his family after waiting more than an hour for an ambulance to arrive. The incident has raised serious concerns about emergency response times in the region.
Incident Details
The nine-year-old boy was playing at home when his finger was accidentally severed. His family immediately called for an ambulance, but after waiting for what they described as an 'unacceptably long' period, they decided to transport him to the hospital themselves. The boy was eventually taken to Geelong University Hospital, where he underwent surgery to reattach the finger.
Family's Frustration
The family expressed their frustration with the ambulance service, stating that the delay could have had severe consequences for the boy's injury. 'We were told an ambulance would be sent, but after an hour, nothing had arrived. We couldn't wait any longer,' a family member said. 'It's terrifying to think what could have happened if we hadn't acted.'
Ambulance Service Response
Ambulance Victoria has acknowledged the incident and stated that they are investigating the delay. A spokesperson said, 'We understand the distress this situation has caused the family and we are reviewing our response to ensure such delays are minimized in the future.' The service also noted that during peak times, resources can be stretched, leading to longer wait times.
Community Concerns
This incident has reignited the debate about ambulance response times in regional areas. Local community leaders are calling for more resources to be allocated to emergency services in Geelong and surrounding areas. 'No family should have to make the decision to drive a child with a severe injury to hospital because an ambulance didn't come,' said a local councillor.
Medical Outcome
Fortunately, the boy's surgery was successful, and doctors are optimistic about his recovery. However, the family remains concerned about the potential long-term impact of the delay on the success of the reattachment. The hospital has not commented on whether the delay affected the outcome.
Call for Change
The family is now advocating for improvements in the emergency response system, urging the government to invest in more ambulances and staff to prevent similar situations from occurring. 'We were lucky this time, but others might not be,' they said. 'Something needs to change.'
