Ambulance ramping at lowest level in more than a year in South Australia

South Australia has recorded its most promising ambulance ramping data in more than a year in what the government says is a sign the state's healthcare system is on the right track.

New figures released today showed ramping is down 46 per cent since the depths of winter.

Ambulances spent 2983 hours stuck outside emergency departments in October, down from 3106 hours the month before – the lowest number since May last year, and the best October since Labor came to power.

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"We are certainly not claiming victory but these are positive signs for our healthcare system," Health Minister Chris Picton said.

However, the opposition has tried to dent the government's claims.

"Last month you had over 3100 hours lost to ramping," Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said.

"That's more than any month under the former Liberal government, in the middle of a global pandemic."

The government has attributed the improvement to its investments in new beds, which have helped patients be discharged from emergency departments quicker. 

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It's also touted the upcoming Flinders Medical Centre tower, which is set to add 98 beds to the system, along with four new operating theatres to reduce the elective surgery backlog.

"We're adding more beds, we're adding more doctors and nurses and we're adding more capacity for our health system and it is making a difference," Picton said.

The government has said the release of the positive figures just days before the by-election in the southern Adelaide seat of Black is purely coincidental. 

It is yet to release ambulance response times, which it considers the more important measure of success. 

Picton said they will be published before Saturday's vote.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.