South Australia lagging behind in grim emergency department report card
As the government pumps money into the public health system, South Australia is still falling behind when it comes to emergency department wait times.
New data from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has painted a bleak picture, showing no improvement in years, leaving those who most urgently need help waiting longer than they should.
The AMA's annual report card revealed that only 38 per cent of urgent ED patients in the state were seen within the recommended 30-minute timeframe, significantly below the national average of 61 per cent and a steep decline from the 65 per cent recorded a decade ago.
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As the government pumps money into the public health system, South Australia is still falling behind when it comes to emergency department wait times. Nine
"These are patients presenting with chest pains, severe breathing problems or potential strokes, who are left waiting far too long for the care they need," AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen said.
Although there has been a slight improvement in planned surgery wait times, the AMA said that it may take some time before the full impact of the state government's investment in 600 new hospital beds and 1400 additional doctors, nurses, and clinicians is realised.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
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