30 March 2021
Adelaide’s under-siege hospital system has sunk to a new low this morning – a record 118 people were waiting for a bed in emergency departments across the city.
Eleven people have been waiting for more than 24 hours, 8 in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
“These are the highest numbers we have seen in years and are a sign of the worsening crisis across our state’s health care system,” said ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM.
“If the chronic ramping doesn’t prompt those in power to urgently address a hospital system at risk of collapse, then surely this is the wake-up call?
“The lack of beds and resources available to cater to the critical health needs of the community is a clear danger. This is the sort of statistic than can cost lives.
“It’s time to stop playing the fiddle and passing the buck while our hospital system burns. We need immediate action, not yet more protracted discussions.’’
Last week, ANMF (SA Branch) officers, led by Ms Dabars, met with Health Minister Stephen Wade to again demand urgent action on issues of crushing hospital demand, bed blockage and the devastating impact on nursing and midwifery staff which has seen many leave the profession.
“Most of the issues raised were the subject of a series of meetings the ANMF (SA Branch) and other unions had held with Mr Wade shortly after his ministerial appointment and that had led to his agreement to take action more than two years ago,’’ Ms Dabars said.
“If anything, the problems facing the hospital system have only worsened over time and health professionals feel little is being done to address the chronic overcrowding and overwhelming demand for services, leading to ramping, immense pressure on staffing and resources, discharge blockage and increased use of temporary contracts and casual staff.”
At the meeting held last week, the Minister had agreed to consider responding to the issues but did not give specific commitments or references to potential actions.
“I honestly can’t fathom what more evidence that the Minister needs to act. It is abundantly clear that our health care system is failing our community and its workforce,” Ms Dabars said.
In the absence of a clear plan or strategy, the ANMF will continue to publicly campaign to address these and related issues that are impacting both on our health care community and the community at large.