Some non-urgent calls to triple-0 will be referred to locum GPs
SOME triple-0 calls assessed as non-urgent will soon be referred to a GP instead — to free up South Australian ambulances for genuine emergencies.
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CALLS to triple-0 for an ambulance will now be referred to a GP locum service if the SA Ambulance Service’s Extended Care Paramedics assess the situation as not needing an emergency ambulance.
The system coming into operation from Wednesday is expected to see more than 750 such calls made at night diverted to the GP service.
SAAS will be able to refer patients directly to the National Home Doctor service, 13Sick, for a bulk billed, after hours visit under a new service agreement.
Crews attending calls will also be able to refer the patient to the locum service if it is not an emergency, reducing the number of transfers to hospital EDs.
SAAS estimates the change will free up an estimated 430 ambulances for more urgent calls at a time when ramping at hospital EDs is tying up services.
Similar services already operate in NSW and Victoria.
It will operate from midnight to 6am on weekends and public holidays, and from 6pm-6am on weekdays.
SAAS chief executive Jason Killens said ambulances will continue to be sent to anyone who needs one.
“That has not and will not change,” he said. “But many people request an ambulance for conditions that do not require an immediate and emergency response from a paramedic or ambulance officer, from earaches to colds for example.
“The ability to refer a patient directly to an alternative health care professional will improve our ability to respond to seriously ill and injured patients quickly and ensure the safety of all patients.
“SA Ambulance Service will refer to the Home Doctor service where it is safe to do so
and for a limited number of conditions.”
Patients likely to be transferred include those with less serious medical conditions such as minor burns, minor eye injuries, earaches, hiccups, or sleeplessness.
Callers to triple-0 from South Australia who ask for an ambulance are connected to the SA Ambulance Service Emergency Operations Centre in Adelaide and asked a standard set of questions by an Emergency Medical Dispatch Support Officer.
Meanwhile changes at the top of SA Health continue with the appointment of Ron Pearson as the new chief executive of the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, which includes the Lyell McEwin Hospital and Modbury Hospital, from October 2.
Mr Pearson’s most recent role was as Interim Director of the Western New South Wales Local Health District.
The appointment follows last month’s announcement that Lesley Dwyer would start as the new chief executive of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network — which includes the Royal Adelaide Hospital and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital — on November 26 when current chief executive Jenny Richter retires.
Other recent changes include Dr McGowan replacing Vickie Kaminski as SA Health chief executive, while SA Ambulance Service chief executive Jason Killens and SA Health’s Chief Pharmacist Steve Morris have both quit to take new jobs.
An emergency service feeling the pressure of demand
IN 2016/17 SAAS answered 95.39 per cent of triple-0 calls within 10 seconds, or 193,790 calls, above the target of 95 per cent.
SAAS answered a total of 203,159 triple-0 calls in 2016/17, up by 5.7 per cent or 11,034 calls compared to 2015-16.
RESPONSE times — Priority 1 (life threatening) 69.5 per cent of calls reached within eight minutes, against a target of 60 per cent; Priority 2 (potentially life-threatening) 87.3 per cent reached within 16 minutes, against a target of 95 per cent; Priority 3 (urgent but non-life-threatening) 61.9 per cent within 30 minutes, against a target of 92 per cent.
SAAS attended 229,836 incidents in total, a rise of 3.1 per cent compared to the previous year.