SA Ambulance Service chief executive David Place quits, to retire next month

SA Ambulance chief executive David Place is retiring, leaving behind an increasingly acrimonious relationship with the ambo union.

South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) chief executive David Place has announced his retirement after three years of service including turbulent industrial action, escalating ramping and attempts to overhaul the service to improve efficiency.

Mr Place took on the role in 2018 and used his experience as a frontline ambulance officer to lead SAAS through a challenging period including the Covid-19 pandemic.

He faced an increasingly acrimonious relationship with the Ambulance Employees Association over issues including ramping, attempts at roster reform, staffing levels that saw a plan to hire 74 officers to end an industrial dispute and trying to stop ambulance officers from painting slogans on SAAS vehicles.

In a letter to staff Mr Place said he was proud to have led the organisation and appreciated the support, noting he had been “part of the SAAS family for 26 years in total”.

“I was due for retirement when I took on this role but was thrilled by the opportunity to lead an organisation that I had grown up in,” he said. “Now, it is simply time for me to dust off those retirement plans, to enjoy time with my family, explore Australia and rekindle my love of scuba diving.

“There have certainly been ups and downs in the past three years, but I am confident that we have an organisation that is now best placed to deal with the challenges ahead. I am genuinely pleased how far we have grown, introducing many alternate pathways and reforming our service, despite challenges.”

SA Health chief executive Dr Chris McGowan said Mr Place has been a leader passionate about SAAS and the paramedic profession.

“He has maintained focus on the quality and safety of SAAS operations and on creating an ambulance service for the future,” Mr McGowan said.

SA Ambulance Service CEO David Place will resign and retire Picture: AAP / Kelly Barnes

“He has made a number of improvements to SAAS operations, such as introducing a new system to manage triple-0 (000) calls. The service now redirects non-urgent callers to more appropriate care, reducing the number of ambulance presentations at our emergency departments.

“His vision for SAAS to be integrated with the broader health system – not just picking up patients and taking them to hospital – and embracing opportunities created by better use of technology have defined his time as leader of SAAS.”

Dr McGowan said Mr Place united a strong leadership team and would leave the organisation better placed to deal with future challenges.

Mr Place will step down on September 3. SAAS executive director of metropolitan operations Rob Elliott will take on the role during the recruitment process.

Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton said the departure comes “at an incredibly challenging time for our paramedics”.

“We have a system in crisis, with the worst ramping figures and the worst response times to life-threatening triple-0 call-outs in our state’s history,” Mr Picton said.

“The Premier urgently needs to find a new leader to address lengthening response times, repair relationships with paramedics, and ensure the government equips paramedics with the resources they need.”