Bushfire smoke haze has triggered a rush of hospital presentations

Smoke haze from the Cherry Gardens bushfire has triggered a rush of people needing hospital treatment, resulting in ramping.

Thick smoke haze which blanketed parts of Adelaide and Hills communities from the Cherry Gardens bushfires added to gridlocks at hospital emergency departments due to people arriving with smoke inhalation problems.

By 4pm four major hospitals were on code white — above capacity — and three were near capacity on code red.

At Flinders Medical Centre about a dozen ambulances were ramped as ED staff had commenced treatment on 69 patients in the 65 capacity ED, with 19 patients waiting to be seen and another 21 known to be en route.

The Royal Adelaide Hospital also had ambulances ramped as staff were treating 72 people in its 69 capacity ED while at Queen Elizabeth Hospital teams were working on 34 patients in the 29 capacity ED.

Average waiting times to be seen varied from 58 minutes to 144 minutes across the hospitals.

SA Health blamed the surge on conditions triggered by the haze as well as earlier heat.

“We know there has been an increase in emergency department presentations over the past few days due to the extreme heat, and the smoke from the Cherry Gardens bushfire,” it said in a statement.

“As always, patients presenting to the ED are prioritised according to clinical urgency and those requiring emergency care continue to be seen first.

“We would like to thank the hard work and dedication of our staff for their ongoing commitment to patient care during this busy time.”

Acrid smoke from the Cherry Gardens fire has blanketed Adelaide and the Hills. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Earlier, SA Health had issued an alert to people with chest or heart conditions due to the thick smoke.

They urged people with asthma and other respiratory conditions to follow their action plans, including carrying their reliever medication at all times if prescribed.

The city and hills were blanketed in smoke from the out-of-control fires today.

Department for Health and Wellbeing deputy chief public health Officer, Dr Emily Kirkpatrick, said the combined effects of recent hot weather and poor air quality from bushfires means people should take extra precautions.

“We are urging people to stay indoors where possible, avoid physical exercise outdoors and reduce their exposure to smoky air,” Dr Kirkpatrick said.

“People should keep windows and doors shut, and ventilate the house once the smoke clears.

“If possible, avoid running evaporative air conditioners which draw in external air. Switch your car airconditioning to recirculate.”

Dr Kirkpatrick said smoke particles can aggravate existing health problems such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and heart conditions.

Other vulnerable groups include people 65 years and older, young children and infants, pregnant women and people with diabetes.

Symptoms of smoke inhalation may include difficulty breathing, coughing, chest tightness, heart palpitations, fatigue, itchy or burning eyes, throat irritation, a runny nose and illnesses such as bronchitis.

If you are having trouble breathing, seek medical attention.

Meanwhile, a number of government schools, preschools and kindergartens have been closed today as a precaution, including child care and Vacation Care, due to the ongoing Cherry Gardens bushfire.

– Kangarilla Primary School

– Clarendon Primary School

– Clarendon Kindergarten

– Mylor Primary School

– Echunga Primary School

– Heathfield Primary School

– Heathfield High School

– Bridgewater Primary School

– Bridgewater Kindergarten

– Aldgate Primary School

– Aldgate Kindergarten

– Stirling East Primary School

– Stirling East Kindergarten

– Stirling and Districts Kindergarten

– Upper Sturt Primary School

– Scott Creek Primary School