September ramping figures show large improvement but Premier admits more needs to be done

The latest figures showed a dramatic decrease in ramping hours, but Premier Peter Malinauskas said he would not “claim victory prematurely”.

New figures have revealed a significant decrease in the number of hours wasted due to ambulance ramping, but Premier Peter Malinauskas conceded there is still “a long way to go” to fix the issue.

The new data showed ambulances spent 41 per cent fewer hours on the ramp in September (3106 hours) compared with August (5284 hours).

It also represents a 44 per cent reduction in ramping compared with figures from July, when it was at a record high of 5539 hours, which was the first time it had broken the 5000 hours mark and smashed May’s record of 4773.

“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves and we’re not claiming victory prematurely,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“We’re getting on with the task.”

At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where 67 new beds recently opened, ramping decreased by 49 per cent from August to September.

Ramping at QEH. Pictured on August 22nd 2024 in Adelaide CBD. Picture: Ben Clark

In July, the new BRIGHT Woodville avoidance hub, based at the QEH’s old emergency department, was opened.

Since then, more than 1300 South Australians have avoided unnecessary visits to the emergency department.

At the Lyell McEwin Hospital, where 48 beds opened six weeks ago, ramping reduced by 42 per cent.

The Flinders Medical Centre recorded a 35 per cent reduction in ramping hours, its best September result in four years.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the government is “building and opening every bed that we can” to address ramping.

“Opening extra beds helps improve patient flow, in turn helping to reduce ambulance ramping,” Mr Picton said.