Four new health centres aiming to ease winter demand on SA hospital emergency departments

South Australians with non-life threatening injuries and illnesses could be sent to four new health centres in a bid to ease emergency department congestion.

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South Australians with non-life threatening injuries and illnesses will be sent to four new health centres in a bid to ease emergency department congestion.

Health Minister Stephen Wade will launch a tender process on Thursday for four priority care centres to be trialled in the state this winter.

The centres, to be established in Adelaide’s west, south, north and outer north, are targeted towards patients with a host of conditions including early pregnancy complications, mental health issues, abdominal pain, minor wounds and cuts, sporting injuries and suspected fractures.

State Health Minister Stephen Wade.

Mr Wade said the centres, which are expected to attract at least 20 patients each day of operation, would be an alternative to attending an emergency department during the winter peak season.

It’s unclear how much they will cost or how many days and hours they will operate each week, with the tender process to determine the exact way forward. Mr Wade said moving patients away from hospitals to “alternative but appropriate community care” would be a key part of the Government’s winter demand strategy.

“This year, there will be an enhanced focus on hospital avoidance, preventing deterioration, and out of hospital services,” Mr Wade said.

“The data shows that about 70 per cent of people who present to EDs do not need to be admitted to hospital, however the number of people presenting to EDs continues to grow.

“A significant proportion of people presenting do not require acute care and can be safely treated in a community setting.”

Mr Wade said the centres would be “GP led and managed” with support from local hospital staff to ensure people with more complex needs received the help they required, which could include admission to hospital.

Potential providers will need to outline how often they would operate, and how they would target “hot spots” where high volumes of patients attend emergency departments.

People with more serious conditions, including patients in ambulances with lights and sirens activated, injured in a motor vehicle accident or requiring emergency treatment or resuscitation will be taken to emergency departments, and not sent to the priority care centres.

Labor health spokesman Chris Picton said he welcomed more investment in health, but was concerned the centres would not ease ED congestion.

“Emergency doctors are saying the causes of ramping are acute, complex patients that need to go to hospital, that wouldn’t change under this model,” he said