Question Time

Ambulance Ramping

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier still claim he will fix ramping? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: In recent months, we have seen the release of some of the worst ramping results in South Australia's history—4,285 hours lost on the ramp in one month—more than 1,400 hours worse than the worst month during the term of the Liberal government.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:23): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question because it is an important subject which the government is dedicating an extraordinary amount of policy effort towards, including an unprecedented level of resources. The Leader of the Opposition not unreasonably points out—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: The Leader of the Opposition quite reasonably, in my view, points out the December data, which was an exceptionally disappointing month when it comes to ramping—November and then December. As the opposition will be aware, the government has seen throughout the course of calendar year 2023 some evidence that TOC hours or ramping hours were declining in some months, only to see an explosion in the numbers towards the end of last year. To speak plainly, that is exceptionally disappointing and somewhat frustrating, particularly where there had been a degree of positive momentum on one level.

The government sees those hours as an opportunity not to relent but, rather, to only recommit ourselves to doing everything we possibly can to address the challenge. There is a very substantial rollout of additional resources that continue to be delivered, particularly throughout the course of this calendar year—namely probably the most important element, and that is more beds. We have had the view that the system needs more capacity, particularly given an ageing population and a growing population. In the second half of this year, we will see over 150 beds of brand-new capacity come online and then 130 extra beds next year.

We don't suggest for a moment that that alone solves the problem; you need, clearly, the staff to service those beds. To that end, we have already put on hundreds of extra clinicians—doctors and nurses, along with other ancillary staff. We are literally doing everything we can. There is not a proposition or a proposal that gets elevated to the executive arm of government that doesn't get thoroughly scrutinised, and if we are satisfied it will make a positive difference, we do it.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: There is very much an attitude within the government that there is little we are not willing to do if the evidence underpins that the policy will make a positive difference. We are absolutely satisfied and unmoved around the fact that additional resources are required in the system, which is why so much of the government's recurrent expenditure and capital investment in terms of new dollars has been allocated to this system—in excess of $4 billion all up.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: The opposition—I think, legitimately—asked a question around TOC hours. That is an appropriate focus of the opposition, as much as it is of the government, and it is our government.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: What I would say is that the TOC hours are not the exclusive or only focus of the government but they are a part of a range of measures that we monitor very, very carefully. I will also say this: as we look to the second half of the year when those new beds come online, along with other investments that the government is making, it is our hope that delivers substantial improvement that we saw evidence of last year—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Unley is warned.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —and we expect to see throughout parts of this year as well.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Has the Premier concluded his answer? The Leader.