AMA Victoria president Dr Doug Travis said more than 363,000 people across the state failed to get medical care within a clinically appropriate time - a rise of 43,000, or more than 11 per cent, in the past year.

“We have a growing population coupled with a chronic shortage of nurses, doctors and beds,’’ he said.

Dr Travis said staff were trying hard, but more people were seeking emergency care from Bendigo hospital - a l10 per cent increase - and patients had to wait longer for care.

Twenty per cent of Bendigo hospital patients with symptoms such as very severe pain, stroke, appendicitis and severe breathing difficulties waited longer than the recommended 10 minutes for treatment.

Almost a third (31 per cent) with moderately severe blood loss, broken wrists, persistent vomiting, and dehydration waited longer for treatment than the recommended 30 minutes.

“Lengthy waits can seriously increase the risk of complications and even death,’’ Dr Travis said.

“All public hospital patients should be seen within the clinically appropriate times.’’

Releasing the report last week, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said hospitals had met their target or improved their performance in eight out of nine key areas, despite treating more than 19,300 extra patients in the past six months.

He said the report showed that a combined $60 million funding boost by federal and state governments this year was having an effect on elective surgery waits.

Dr Travis said managing Bendigo’s emergency department was a big problem because it was just too full.

“Innovation and good patient care are being strangled by inefficiencies caused by a lack of capacity.’’