FMC ramping hits new level on back of third Code White in six days
South Australia’s health system is in crisis following another Code White across every metropolitan hospital overnight - the third in six days - as ramping at Flinders Medical Centre reaches new and unprecedented levels.
Startling new pictures have revealed what appears to be FMC ramping spreading to the fourth level of the hospital carpark.
SASMOA claims it was made aware of the issue last week during a safety inspection following chronic overcrowding and demand. They claim they were informed level four ramping is a new issue that has been occurring for the past six to 12 months.
The Opposition is aware this part of the carpark is cordoned off from the public and patrolled by security. The Opposition has also received reports of patients receiving lifesaving medical treatment in the carpark.
This morning, SA Health data showed an almost nine-hour wait in the FMC Emergency Department.
Leader of the Opposition David Speirs ramping under Peter Malinauskas and Labor continues to get worse despite their clear promise to fix it.
“We are shocked that ramping at FMC is getting so bad that it appears ambulances carrying sick patients are being diverted to the fourth level of the hospital carpark, further away from the ED,” Mr Speirs said.
“I have spoken to people who say they have witnessed lifesaving medical treatment take place in the carpark which is shocking - any patient in such a bad condition must be treated inside a hospital.
“Peter Malinauskas promised to fix ramping, but the problem has doubled on Labor’s watch and the flow on effects at our hospitals have never been worse.”
Shadow Minister for Health Ashton Hurn described three Code Whites in one week as appalling and alarming.
“This is the third Code White called in the past six days, and that means that on three separate occasions every single bed, in every single metropolitan emergency department has been completely full” Mrs Hurn said.
“Now we know that our health system is under so much pressure that our ambulances, patients and paramedics are literally overflowing from the ramp to the hospital car park – that’s a confronting sign that our health system is on the brink.’
“Our hospitals - and exhausted frontline workers – simply cannot keep up this pace and demand for urgent healthcare will only increase in coming months as South Australia hits winter.
“Peter Malinauskas’ can change his priorities as much as he likes, but he cannot hide from the fact that there is an escalating ramping crisis in South Australia on his watch”.
