Ambulance Ramping

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding health.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: On Thursday 15 April, the Ambulance Employees Association reported that a 93-year-old patient was taken to the Flinders Medical Centre after a fall. Noarlunga Hospital refused to accept referral of the patient, so they remained at Flinders. The elderly patient was ramped for over six hours. She was kept lying completely flat in spinal precautions on a hard ambulance side stretcher, which is not designed for long-term use by elderly patients who are at high risk of pressure injuries. The patient could not drink or toilet properly. My question to the minister is: can the minister explain why a 93 year old was left ramped for six hours at the Flinders Medical Centre?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:31): I will take the honourable member's question on notice and get details of the case.