Ramping numbers are up, but government says still not as bad as record hours hit in July

Ambulance ramping numbers increased in November, and with the government welcoming a recent decrease, there is still a way to go before the promised ‘fix’ is achieved.

Ambulance ramping is back on the rise hitting 3224 hours in November after falling to 2983 hours in October, prompting vastly different responses from the government and opposition.

The figure for patients stuck in ambulances in hospital car parks remains well above the 2711 hours recorded when the state election was held in March 2022.

The government — which promised to “fix” ramping — welcomed it as a 42 per cent decrease compared to July when it hit a record 5539 hours.

The opposition noted the time lost on the ramp in November is worse than any month under the Marshall government and brings the total lost to more than 118,000 hours since Labor was elected.

Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn said Premier Peter Malinauskas has now delivered the 30 worst months of ramping in SA history.

Liberal MP Ashton Hurn. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

“Despite Peter Malinauskas’ promises to ‘fix ramping’, the reality is that South Australia has now endured the worst 30 months of ramping in our state’s history,” Mrs Hurn said.

“These aren’t just numbers – they represent real South Australians who are stuck waiting outside our hospitals on the ramp, placing tremendous pressure on our frontline health workers and our hospital system.

“Labor’s ramping record eclipses anything ever experienced under the former Liberal Government.

However, Health Minister Chris Picton said: “We are getting on with the job of building a bigger health system and getting patients the treatment they need and we know there is still more to do.”

Health Minister Chris Picton. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

He noted a new health service for older people in Adelaide’s northern suburbs is set to open later this month.

“The OPERA clinic will be a similar model to the successful CARE service at Daw Park that focuses on treating older patients as an alternative to hospital,” he said.

“Older people often present to our emergency departments with complex but non-urgent conditions which can mean they face longer wait times while clinicians deal with other patients experiencing life-threatening issues.

“That’s why services such as OPERA are important. They allow older people to access the right level of care and in the right environment.

“Not only does this offer the patient a much better experience, it also frees up capacity in our EDs and reduces bed-blocking that leads to ramping.”