Ambos union warns of 'damning' lack of ramping resilience ahead of flu peak

South Australia's paramedics union has issued a stark warning about the state's inadequate response to ambulance ramping, predicting dire consequences as the peak flu season approaches. The union highlighted a critical incident on Wednesday where approximately 80 patients faced significant delays waiting for ambulances during a demand surge.

This situation underscores a persistent problem within the state's health system, where ambulances are frequently held up outside hospitals, unable to transfer patients to emergency departments. The paramedics' union argues that this inefficiency not only delays care for those in ambulances but also impacts the availability of emergency services for new call-outs.

In response to the growing crisis, the union is urgently calling for greater investment in the healthcare system. They emphasize the need to bolster the state's resilience against patient surges, particularly with the anticipated increase in flu cases. Improved infrastructure and resources are deemed essential to reduce ramping and ensure timely emergency medical care for all South Australians.