AMA warns inevitable surge of SA Covid cases more than hospitals can bear

The state’s hospitals cannot cope with an “inevitable” surge in virus cases – and deaths – without urgent action, the AMA says.

An urgent boost to healthcare capacity must be in place before South Australian borders open to the “inevitable” surge in Covid cases, regardless of vaccination targets, health experts say.

Frontline doctors, nurses and ambulance groups say more resources are needed, as well as clearing private hospitals and ensuring GPs are ready to deal with Covid cases at home, as the virus is allowed in.

They say the “storm is coming” and want a road map for action.

In a sombre warning they say the public must be prepared for deaths but say it is imperative the hospital system is expanded or it faces being “overwhelmed.”

Australian Medical Association (AMA) state president Dr Michelle Atchison warns of a gap between high vaccinated areas and low, linked to socio-economic status.

Ambulance Ramping at Flinders Medical Centre on September 16, 2021. Picture: Ambulance Employees Association

The AMA has not endorsed the government’s 80 per cent vaccination target, instead calling for “as many people to be vaccinated as possible” before opening to NSW, Victoria and the world.

She called for any opening of borders to be done slowly, with readiness to pause, “otherwise the hospital system will be overwhelmed.”

“We have considerable anxiety the hospital system is not functioning as well as it could for a surge,” Dr Atchison said.

“When Covid comes — and it is inevitable it will come — how well will it function? The modelling says there will be people in hospital, in ICUs, there will be deaths — we have seen that in NSW and Victoria and we do need to be prepared for it.”

“My colleagues interstate say it is heart wrenching, that the health system becomes overwhelmed and ICUs are like battle zones.”

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation state secretary Adj Assoc Prof Elizabeth Dabars. Picture: David Mariuz

Australian Medical Association (AMA) state president Dr Michelle Atchison. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

SA Health previously had the former Wakefield St hospital and College Park facilities as standby hospitals but no longer has the leases.

It released a statement saying it plans to have enough beds, workforce and ICU capacity.

“Contingency plans across the entire healthcare system have been in place since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the statement says.

“We continue to revise and adjust our planning and response as the pandemic progresses to ensure we can continue to protect South Australians from the spread of Covid-19.”

SA Salaried Medical Officers Association president Dr David Pope said more staff are needed.

“It is possible to be ready but at the moment we face a health system collapsing,” he said.

“Until there is a concerted effort to increase hospital capacity, the plan to open borders and allow Covid in should be stopped. We can’t have a health system collapsing by opening up if we are not ready.”

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation state secretary Adj Assoc Prof Elizabeth Dabars called on SA Health to recruit all graduating nurses who will complete their courses in November, as each year only about 600 of the 1100 graduates are offered placings.

“This is urgently needed to address the existing shortages which are forcing nurses and midwives to work double shifts and excessive overtime to plug gaps,” Ms Dabars said.

“Experience overseas is that we can anticipate increased attendances to hospital from those unvaccinated requiring treatment for Covid, particularly in areas of intensive care, but also more generally.”

Ambulance Employees Association acting state secretary Josh Karpowicz called for an increase inpatient bed capacity and ambulance resourcing, saying: “Our hospitals are running at full capacity, with the highest levels of ramping on record and the worst ambulance response times on record. It paint a dark picture of what our current healthcare system looks like even without Covid.”