SA Health faces claims it’s hiding cost of ‘crumbling system’ in country SA

Seven hospitals now rely entirely on casual doctors being offered thousands of dollars per shift as SA Health faces claims it’s hiding the true cost of the “crumbling system”.

Seven country hospitals are now relying solely on locum doctors, but SA Health won’t say how much it is costing ­taxpayers.

As reported by The Advertiser, SA Health is advertising for locums at up to $2600 per shift in a string of country ­hospitals that once relied on local GPs to be on call for emergencies.

SA Health has declined to release the cost, telling The Advertiser it would have to lodge a Freedom of Information request to find out how much of the health budget was being spent on locums.

It has now emerged that hospitals at Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Millicent, Balaklava, Booleroo Centre, Peterborough and Coober Pedy are ­reliant solely on locums.

The Rural Doctors Association of SA (RDASA) says the situation “creates a big problem” for country communities.

In answers to questions on notice in state parliament from opposition health spokesman Chris Picton in August, government MP John Gardner has given written replies on behalf of Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade revealing the seven hospitals.

Rural Doctors Association of SA president Peter Rischbieth. Peter Rischbieth at his Murray Bridge clinic. Picture: Tait Schmaal

“Millicent ... has had medical coverage provided solely by locums for the past five years,” he stated.

“This is a planned approach as there is a long-term contract in place with one locum provider, which was won by a tender process.”

Mr Gardner stated the other six hospitals “currently have medical coverage solely from locum services”.

All apart from Coober Pedy “have moved to a reliance on locum doctors providing medical coverage over the last three years”.

“Locums are important for when people are sick or go on holidays, but using them in the long term creates a big problem with continuity of care – they don’t know the patients or families like the local GP,” RDASA president Dr Peter Rischbieth said.

“We believe having the local GP involved is the best model, which is why we need a new agreement on a contract.”

Negotiations have stalled on a contract between SA Health and the RDASA for the supply of rural doctors.

They will meet with a mediator on Friday.

Mr Picton said relying on locums was a “symptom of a crumbling system”.

“The cost of providing these FIFO locums would be absolutely massive for taxpayers,” he said.

“It is incongruous that the Marshall government would not be able to say how much has been spent on locum doctors.

“Clearly they don’t want the public to know the true situation.”

He called on the government to work with regional doctors to recruit and retain local doctors.

Originally published as SA Health faces claims it’s hiding cost of ‘crumbling system’ in country SA