Ambulance Victoria issue rare alert over 'exceptionally' high demand

Ambulance Victoria has issued a rare alert, urging residents to only contact them in a life-threatening situation as paramedics anticipate exceptionally high demand tonight.

All crews are currently deployed and are expecting a busy night in metropolitan areas due to uncomfortably hot weather and major events like the Formula One Grand Prix and football games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Marvel Stadium.

There are more than 136,000 people at Albert Park for the Grand Prix and another 100,000 football fans heading to the stadiums.

The Victorian Ambulance Union is arguing an Ambulance Victoria (AV) intensive care crew shouldn't have been stuck in a corridor with a non-urgent patient when a man in cardiac arrest needed help. — Ambulance Victoria has issued a rare alert, urging residents to only contact them in a life-threatening situation. (9News)

Ambulance Victoria in a statement said it is preparing for an “exceptionally busy night”.

“Our paramedics will be working hard, and we’ll have as many ambulances on the road as possible,” Ambulance Victoria said.

Residents are urged to only call Triple-Zero for genuine emergencies and life-threatening situations.

“You can help ensure ambulances are available for those who need them most by saving Triple Zero (000) for genuine emergencies,” Ambulance Victoria said.

“For non-life-threatening situations, consider alternative care options like the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), local Urgent Care Clinics, or Nurse-On-Call.”