Ambulance Services

In reply to Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (18 June 2015).

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries):

1. SA Ambulance Service is a user-pays service. While transport services include a per-kilometre charge it is important to note that currently ambulances regularly bypass a nearby hospital emergency department if it is not the most suitable destination for treatment. Whilst proximity is one factor considered by ambulance clinicians when determining the most suitable destination, the destination hospital is always determined by the patient's clinical needs.

For peace of mind, people can take out ambulance cover which fully covers the cost of all services provided by SA Ambulance Service.

2. I can confirm if a public patient attends a public hospital emergency department (such as Noarlunga Hospital), but that hospital is unable to provide the treatment required, the cost of ambulance transport to another public hospital (such as Flinders Medical Centre) will be covered by SA Health. This will apply regardless of whether the patient is admitted or not.