Health & Wellbeing

The South Australian health system is experiencing crisis as ramping and emergency room wait times in hospitals continue to reach record levels. SA-BEST is committed to addressing these issues through practical solutions and collaborative efforts.

SA-BEST has been on the front foot every step of the way with the establishment of the Select Committee on Health Servies in 2018. The committee has exposed the flaws in our health system, with numerous clinicians, nurses, medical experts, and individuals with firsthand experiences giving evidence. Alarmingly, the committee has heard that people have died unnecessarily due to systemic flaws, inconsistencies, and insufficient staffing and services.

This is unacceptable, and we have the means to take the burden off our exhausted and overwhelmed doctors, nurses, paramedics, and frontline staff. The crisis has highlighted the urgent need for reform and support in our health system.

Just as years of neglect left it vulnerable to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health system is currently being jeopardised by a failure to address our state’s mental health crisis. The Unmet Needs report commissioned by the Chief Psychiatrist and made available to the government in 2023 found that 19,000 South Australians in dire need of mental health care are unable to gain access, resulting in a far higher admission rate at emergency departments for mental health cases.

The report has yet to be formally responded to by the government despite clear indication that the implementation of its recommendations would significantly decrease ramping and wait times. SA-BEST will continue to pressure the government to make real lasting commitments in responding to this overwhelming need.