A/Prof. Shohreh Majd1, Mrs. Mojca Bizjak-Mikic1, Mr. Andrew Tombs1, Mrs Cam Duyen Le1
1Council Of Ambulance Authorities, , Australia
Biography:
Associate Professor Shohreh Majd is a neuroscientist and the Policy and Research Manager at the Council of Ambulance Authorities. An award-winning academic and editor-in-chief, she has over 20 years of research and teaching experience in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, human physiology, and patient care, advancing understanding of brain function and safety.
Abstract:
Over the past decade, ambulance services in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have faced steadily increasing demand, placing pressure on workforce capacity, operational resources, and timely patient care. This study examines trends in ambulance incidents, patient volumes, and response patterns from 2015 to 2025, highlighting emerging challenges and opportunities for service improvement.
In Australia, total ambulance incidents and patient transports have grown consistently, reflecting increasing population needs and evolving service expectations. Response times for high-priority cases have improved modestly, suggesting targeted investments in operational efficiency and workforce strategies.
New Zealand has also experienced rising incident numbers and patient volumes, with incremental improvements in response performance. These trends indicate ongoing demand growth and highlight areas where system planning and resource allocation are critical.
In PNG, ambulance services are expanding from a lower baseline, with both incident numbers and patient transports showing upward trends. Response patterns remain variable, emphasising the need for investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and service coordination to support timely emergency care.
These findings demonstrate that growing demand is a sustained challenge across the region. Evidence-informed strategies in workforce planning, infrastructure development, and operational management are essential to maintain service quality and safeguard patient outcomes. Monitoring long-term trends in ambulance demand and response performance provides crucial insights for strategic decision-making, ensuring ambulance services remain resilient, responsive, and capable of delivering effective care across Australia, New Zealand, and PNG.