‘Distressing’ emergency department numbers released
South Australian emergency departments are performing at their worst levels in recent history, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) reveals today.
Just 38 per cent of South Australian patients were seen within the recommended 30-minute time frame during 2023z24, according to the AMA’s Public Hospital Report Card released today.
This is well below the national average of 60 per cent, and a significant downturn in the state’s performance since 10 years ago when 65 per cent of urgent patients were seen on time.
The report also revealed the median waiting time for planned surgery has fallen from 49 to 47 days, but SA patients are still waiting 12 days longer for planned surgery than they were a decade ago.
In the past five years, relocation of patients in all triage categories – not just urgent care – declined by 12 per cent. Half of all patients were not discharged or relocated to another part of the hospital within the recommended four-hour or less time frame.
You might like
President of the Australian Medical Association in South Australia (AMA SA) Dr John Williams said the figures are “distressing, but not surprising”.
“We recognise the South Australian Government’s efforts to increase capacity in the public hospital system, but the dial doesn’t seem to be shifting – at least, not far enough,” he said.
“The findings of AMA’s Public Hospital Report Card reflect the stubborn challenges frontline health staff confront on a daily basis – the overwhelming patient demand, the staffing shortages, the stretched resources.
Stay informed, daily
“Despite the best efforts of our hardworking doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, South Australian patients are not receiving the standard of care they deserve.”
Williams, whose organisation is the lobby group for GPs, said there’s “no quick fix” but that smarter investment in general practice is a “no-brainer” to curb the problem.
“‘General practice is the most effective and crucially the most cost-efficient way to keep patients well and reduce avoidable hospital presentations which clog up our EDs and exacerbate ambulance ramping,” he said.
“Every dollar spent in general practice saves the system $13.
“We need to invest in general practice to save the health system as a whole. It’s a no-brainer.”
Though Williams said the AMA welcomes the federal major parties’ multi-billion-dollar commitments to increase bulk billing incentives, bulk billing is only part of the picture.
“We need genuine reform to ensure GPs are supported to provide care that is not just affordable but of the highest quality,” he said.
AMA’s plan to Modernise Medicare would support longer GP consultations, advocate for more connected care with healthcare professionals.
