SA Ambulance Service

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (15:06): My question is to the Premier. Were the entire southern suburbs of Adelaide left without any ambulances last Monday night as they were all ramped at Flinders Medical Centre? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr PICTON: A paramedic, Chris, on FIVEaa this morning said, and I quote, 'So probably going back even just a week ago, I worked in the southern metropolitan area—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Interjections on my left and on my right will cease. Would the member for Kaurna repeat the question, please?

Mr PICTON: It is disappointing that there is so little respect for our paramedics.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr PICTON: Paramedic Chris said:

So probably going back even just a week ago, I worked in the southern metropolitan area, at one stage last week, on the Monday evening I believe there was only one ambulance from our entire area that wasn't at Flinders Medical Centre and it was actually out of our catchment it was at Yankalilla…as far as I'm aware from Mitcham through to McLaren Vale and Aldinga there were no available ambulances for the southern region ready to serve the community.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (15:07): I think there has been quite a considerable amount of coverage of the fact that there was a very significant surge on Sunday and Monday last week. With regard to the specifics that the member puts forward, I am happy to go and check, but I think we're all aware that there was a very significant surge in presentations and the requirement for ambulances at that time.