Ambulance ramping in Adelaide trending upwards with 3411 hours lost in December

Ramping has risen for the third month in a row – but while the government says it’s way down, the Opposition called it a terrible start to 2025.

Ambulance ramping hit 3411 hours in December in ominous upward trend, continuing a rise from October and November.

The government noted it was “38 per cent better” than July when it hit a record 5539 hours, and is better than the figures for December 2022 and 2023.

However the Opposition called it a terrible start to the year for the healthcare system.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the government continued to introduce programs to tackle ramping such as opening 48 new beds at Lyell McEwin Hospital where ramping was down by 45 per cent compared with last December.

“It’s pleasing to see our best December ramping result in three years but we know there is more work to do,” he said.

Opposition leader Vincent Tarzia said Labor had failed to honour its core election promise to “fix” ramping.

“That is now 31 of the worst months of ramping in our records here in South Australia,” he said.

“Last month’s figures are actually worse than any month under the former government, which included the pandemic.

“Labor said they would fix the ramping crisis, unfortunately after nearly three years of this government it is still at levels far worse than any month under the former Liberal government.

“Labor has not fixed the ramping crisis – in fact Labor appears to make the ramping crisis worse.”

Ambulances parked at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Picture: NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Mr Picton released the figures while spruiking the benefits of an expanded team of nurse practitioners working in GP clinics who now can prescribe medication. The program was announced last March.

Nurse practitioners working at the Old Port Road Medical and Dental Centre at Royal Park, Angle Vale Medical Centre and Reynella Family Care have seen more than 1450 patients in the past five months.

The two-year, $2.6m Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Pilot funds nurse practitioners in GP clinics to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions.

They can assess and diagnose patients, request and interpret tests, prescribe therapies and medications, and receive and make referrals to other health practitioners.

The free service gives people another avenue to receive care without needing to go to an ED.

A further two will be placed in regional SA with recruitment for roles at the Robe and Ceduna Medical Practices underway.

“We know it’s harder and harder to get into and afford a GP and that is placing additional pressure on our hospital system,” Mr Picton said.

“These extra nurse practitioners will give South Australians more options to receive free primary health care from experienced nurses when they need it, closer to home.”