ACEM will support commitments aimed at significantly improving the public health system in ways that will reduce access block and improve patient care. Specifically, ACEM calls upon parties to commit to:
1. A minimum of 200 fully staffed hospital beds added across South Australia, allocated according to operational need.
2. A minimum of 145 fully staffed psychiatric beds added across South Australia, allocated according to operational need.
3. Replacing the National Emergency Access Target with Hospital Access Targets and implementing them state-wide, with appropriate system resourcing.
4. Ensuring SA Health trial and/or implement clinician-led access block solutions such as direct admissions, discharge lounges and access to diagnostics outside business hours.
ACEM has been drawing attention to South Australia's acute hospital access crisis for years, and has repeatedly expressed frustration and despair at SA Health's inability to effect sustained and meaningful improvement, particularly in relation to dangerous access block.
ACEM South Australian Faculty Chair Dr Michael Edmonds said, "Health reform must be number one on the political agenda. We need significant, record-breaking investment to build a health system that is safer, fairer, and accessible for all. It is what South Australians deserve."
"We know what needs to happen to fix it. The solution includes genuine engagement with clinicians and the addition of at least 200 fully staffed hospital beds and at least 145 fully staffed psychiatric beds across the SA health system – these are the commitments we will be looking for in pre-election promises."
"ACEM encourages parties contesting the state election to work with ACEM to ensure clinician-led solutions to this dangerous health system crisis are on the table for voters."
Background:
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards. www.acem.org.au
