Union says two deaths in Adelaide were due to a shortage of ambulances in SA

Two elderly patients died on Friday night because of ambulance delays, the union says, as it calls for the incidents to be referred to the Coroner.

The ambulance union is blaming a shortage of crews for two deaths on Friday night.

Ambulance Employees Association state secretary Phil Palmer has called for the deaths to be referred to the Coroner, and the SA Ambulance has confirmed they will be.

“Tragically, our members have reported that two patients on Friday night passed away while waiting for paramedics to arrive, as there were simply not enough ambulances to meet the demand,” Mr Palmer said.

“We cannot say for sure that an earlier ambulance attendance would have saved

these patients, but we do say that a timely ambulance response could have made a difference.

“The Government cannot say it was not warned.”

SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) has been contacted for a response to the allegations.

The union says the deaths occurred when SAAS was in Operational Status White, when “patient safety is directly affected” due to operational capacity. It alleges:

In Walkerville, a triple-0 call was received at 6pm for an elderly patient suffering shortness of breath, triaged as a lights and sirens emergency case but 28 minutes later, no ambulance had been sent and the patient fell unconscious. The patient’s partner had to start CPR. Paramedics did not arrive until 38 minutes after the triple-0 call was made, they should have arrived within 16 minutes. When they arrived, the patient had passed away;

Ambulance ramping at the RAH. Picture: Ambulance Employees Association / Facebook

In Newton, a triple-0 call was received at 7.19pm for an elderly patient in a disorientated state, triaged as an urgent case with an ambulance supposed to arrive within 30 minutes. But 40 minutes later no ambulance had been sent as there were none available. The case was upgraded to a lights and sirens response, but still there were no ambulances available. At this time there were 10 other lights and sirens cases all uncovered. At 8.13pm an ambulance was sent from North Adelaide and arrived one hour and five minutes after the initial triple-0 call was made. The patient was in cardiac arrest. Paramedics resuscitated the patient and took them to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition. It is the AEA’s understanding that the patient passed away.

“The AEA and its members extend their deepest sympathies to the two families who have suffered such a significant loss on this Friday night,” Mr Palmer said.

“The AEA would not normally share these stories with the media however we believe it is our duty to share this with the public of South Australia.”

SAAS chief executive David Place said all cases raised by the union have been reviewed.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of both patients,” he said.

“On Friday we experienced an influx of high acuity cases which was combined with higher than normal sick leave and a large back-log of emergency cases driven by crew shift changeover. Additionally, we saw congestion across all metropolitan hospitals.

“Friday’s events undoubtedly demonstrate the need for SAAS to undertake several common-sense reforms that will improve our ability to respond to all South Australians. We recognise the need for long-term solutions, including roster reform.

“It is, of course, challenging for both our paramedics and our communities when we are unable to reach our patients quickly but we always prioritise the very sickest patients first.”

The union and government are now in mediation in the fight over resources, and as a “show of good faith” the union has suspended one part of its industrial action where patients are not being charged for transport.

However, Mr Palmer said the “gloves will be off” if there is no significant moves by the government to increase resources, including more staff when mediation resumes on Wednesday at 2.15pm.

SAAS is pushing for roster reform to ensure shifts line up with demand for service. Officials note the majority of shifts commence and finish between 6pm and 7pm and the current industrial arrangements mean that lower acuity cases await an ambulance response while 32 of 46 crews attempt to finish work.