18 May 2021
For the second time this month, the number of people waiting for a ward bed while stuck in emergency departments this morning has hit a record figure of 139.
Almost half, 65 people, were waiting for anywhere between eight hours to more than 24 hours. The previous ignominious record of 139 waiting for a bed was set on May 3.
The shocking numbers come at a time when SA Health is reportedly considering axing nurses and doctors at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital as part of an internal savings plan.
“Never before have we witnessed such appalling numbers of people waiting for a hospital bed. Never before have we witnessed such strain on our hospital system,’’ said ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM.
“We right now have a broken system where already fatigued nurses are being forced to work double shifts because of lack of staff, posing a real threat to the safety of patients.
“It is simply incomprehensible that SA Health and the Marshall Government could contemplate any move to shed yet more staff in light of the current health care disaster.
“Any cuts to hospital staff pose a very real threat to patient lives and will be a hammer blow to an already crippled health system and the community it is supposed to safeguard.
“This nonsense must end now. The Marshall Government simply must invest in more health care staff and more resources or it risks plunging the entire state into an unprecedented health crisis. Lives are at stake.’’