Brendan Simpkins
THE Gawler community “deserves better”, according to the Ambulance Employees Association of South Australia (AEA).
Last week, The Bunyip reported that Gawler was still being serviced by only one ambulance, more than a year after a campaign was launched for an additional truck in a bid to ease pressure.
Gawler has the worst response time in the state, with patients forced to wait in excess of 45 minutes for an ambulance or having no choice but to drive themselves to hospital.
AEA senior industrial officer Rob Leaney said increasing ambulance demand in Gawler, and other towns on the fringes of metropolitan Adelaide, was being ignored by the State Government.
“For years Gawler and other metro fringe towns including Mount Barker have been steadily increasing in population and therefore ambulance demand,” he said.
“Ambulance resources for these towns have remained static throughout this time, leading to longer ambulance response times for people in these communities, with ambulances coming from farther and farther afield.
“Patients are left waiting in pain, in dangerous situations, sometimes deteriorating, for longer and longer periods. This poses significant risk for patients in the community, and the State Government is steadfastly refusing to respond appropriately to this risk by providing the necessary funds and resources.
“The Gawler community deserves better than this from our political leaders.”
Mr Leaney said that for an emergency ‘lights and sirens’ response for incidents like chest pain, trauma or vehicle accident, patients should except a wait of no longer than 16 minutes, while urgent cases such as abdominal pain or fracture should take no longer than 30 minutes.
The Bunyip asked health minister Stephen Wade why Gawler and surrounds is still serviced by one ambulance and if funding is available for an additional vehicle?
Mr Wade did not respond before print deadline.
The AEA has called for safe staffing for SA Ambulance Service employees and an end to ramping through a petition.
Mr Leaney said the petition will be lodged in the House of Assembly in the coming weeks and encouraged concerned community members to contact their local member of parliament and Mr Wade.