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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-08-20 Daily Xml
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Ambulance Ramping

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health, regarding ambulance ramping.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: SA Health data shows that our metropolitan emergency departments, with a combined capacity of 333 beds, are consistently operating well above safe occupancy levels, often exceeding 125 per cent. This overcrowding contributes directly to ambulance ramping and delays in patient care. A significant contributing factor is the number of hospital beds occupied by patients who are medically ready for discharge but are awaiting placement in residential aged care. As of 11 August 2025, 280 patients across metropolitan hospitals were in this category.

On the same day, it was reported that SA Health will double the capacity of its transitional hotel health service at the Pullman Hotel, Adelaide, from 24 to 48 beds in an effort to alleviate pressures on hospitals. While this initiative may offer short-term relief, the Australian Medical Association has noted that it is not a sustainable or comprehensive solution for South Australia's healthcare system. My questions to the minister are:

1. Considering the Minister for Health's own admission that 20 out of 200 patients who have used a 48-bed service have not yet been discharged, what specific plan is in place to ensure these patients and future ones can transition into appropriate long-term care, rather than creating a new bottleneck?

2. What is the government's response to the AMA about their concerns that SA Health is not offering sustainable or comprehensive solutions for South Australia's healthcare system?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:02): I thank the honourable member for her question. I will refer it to the minister in another place and bring back a reply.

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