South Australia has seen an increase in ambulance ramping.

South Australia lost over 10,000 hours during the winter season as ambulances queued outside major hospitals, new stats show

State government data reveals 10,180 hours were lost to ramping during winter, even though ambulance response times improved, with 67 per cent of urgent cases handled within eight minutes.

Health Minister Chris Picton noted that these “improved” response times occurred despite a busier winter than the previous year.

“The improved ramping data and ambulance response times from this winter compared to last winter shows the massive investment we've made is making a difference,” Picton said. 

“However, we know there's still lots of work to be done and we're getting on with the job.”

The state government has opened 24 new beds at a residential care home in Elizabeth, aimed at transitioning older patients out of Lyell McEwin Hospital and Modbury Hospital to free up beds. 

Some beds will accommodate medically fit elderly individuals whose hospital discharge was delayed due to home adaptations or temporary caregiver unavailability. Others will provide short-term care for seniors awaiting permanent placements in residential aged care facilities. ACH Group's Healthia Residential Care Home hosts this village-like setup.

Opposition spokesperson Ashton Hurn welcomed the initiative but expressed disappointment regarding the lack of progress with ramping. 

Comparing the current situation to the 2021 winter under the former Liberal government, which saw 7,680 hours lost to ramping, Hurn noted that there has not been substantial improvement. 

She criticised the situation as “basically the same” compared to last winter and expressed concerns regarding the unfulfilled promise of addressing ramping.