Vic hospital bypass system to end

Busy Victorian hospitals will no longer be able to divert ambulances to other hospitals during peak times.

From October 7, all metropolitan public hospitals will be required at accept all patients who arrive by ambulance and can only divert them away in exceptional circumstances - like a power failure.

Health Minister Jill Hennessey says it will free up ambulances for use in the community, and an extra $800,000 funding will pay for more nurses and other measures to boost emergency department capacity.