Terms of reference for inquiry into allegations about ramping fudge

Terms of reference have been released for the inquiry into allegations bureaucrats “intimidate” clinicians to treat ramped ambulance arrivals before sicker patients.

The independent investigation into alleged interference in the hospital emergency department triage system to fudge ramping figures will include whether it led to several deaths.

Health Minister Chris Picton who ordered the inquiry has released the terms of reference which will guide the review by eminent retired doctor Bill Griggs and Commissioner for Excellence in Innovation and Health Professor Keith McNeil.

Health Minister Chris Picton and retired doctor Bill Griggs. Picture Brad Crouch

It follows sensational allegations by respected emergency department clinician Dr David Pope revealed in The Advertiser.

Commenting on November’s record 4285 hours ramping figures, Dr Pope, who is president of the SA Salaried Medical Officers Association (SASMOA) said bed managers were

“intimidating” clinicians to prioritise ramped ambulance patients over sicker patients stuck in waiting rooms.

He alleged this had lead to multiple deaths of people left in waiting rooms, saying “It is not uncommon.”

Dr David Pope, president of the SA Salaried Medical Officers Association. Picture: Sarah Reed

Dr Pope told The Advertiser: “Nursing staff are called and told to unload ambulances over someone who is a higher priority in the waiting room.”

Terms of reference for the inquiry are:

1. Assessment of the evidence regarding statements from Dr David Pope on 7 December 2023, to the effect that hospital administrators have directed clinicians to unload ambulance patients over someone who is a higher clinical priority in the waiting room – and that this had led to deaths of several patients;

2. Adherence with the current SA Health policies;

3. Best practice management of managing the clinical safety risks between the ambulance ramp, the waiting room and ensuring coverage for community emergency cases.

Mr Picton expects the inquiry to take “some weeks.”

Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn said they will “barely scratch the surface of this shocking scandal and doesn’t allow within its scope for the investigation to examine the other crucial question as to whether Chris Picton was made aware of the issue.

Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn. Picture Dean Martin

“Chris Picton and Dr Pope are at odds over whether the Minister was told of these allegations,” she said.

“This is a critical question for the investigation because it goes to the heart of where this pressure came, how this alleged practice was conceived and who knew about it.”

Mr Picton said: “The review is into exactly what we announced last week and it is already underway. We always see Ashton Hurn playing politics and never with any policy on improving healthcare.”