SA reduces ambulance standard
The SA Government is no longer sending ambulances to all crashes.
As part of attempts to ease the burden on the health system, a previous policy to deploy ambulances to all crashes, regardless of whether they were needed, has been scrapped.
They will now wait until there are known patients, a notification from another emergency service or a triple-0 call.
The ambulance union was welcomed the policy.
The Ambulance Employees Association said the change should become permanent.
“There were a lot of unnecessary attendances that our members went to,” general secretary Phil Palmer said.
“Not attending a scene that doesn't need an ambulance is a sensible initiative and we're really glad they've taken [it].”
SA’s Liberal opposition says it could lead to delays in paramedics arriving at crash scenes.
“This increases the risk on patients and it also increases the stress on first responders, police and CFS volunteers,” opposition spokesperson Stephen Wade said.
“The issue... has been raised with us by first responders who are extremely distressed. It's their responsibility every day, day in day out, to be on standby.”