The College, and other peak health bodies, have repeatedly drawn attention to the massive and dangerous crisis within SA’s hospitals for years, and advocated strongly to have health on the agenda for the election.
ACEM previously welcomed Labor’s pre-electoral health investment pledges, including 300 extra hospital beds, 300 more nurses and greater investment in mental health and, following Labor’s win, looks forward to their prompt implementation.
ACEM SA Faculty Chair Dr Michael Edmonds said, “Healthcare workers have been desperately drawing attention to the dangerous state of SA’s health system for years. Peter Malinauskas and SA Labor listened to the urgent pleas of clinicians on the ground and made health the defining topic of their electoral platform.”
“Today’s landslide results show that South Australian’s have prioritised health and put their faith in a Malinauskas government to deliver them the health system they need.”
“Now, the real work begins. The incoming SA government must work closely with clinicians to deliver on their pre-electoral commitments. Hospital overcrowding and ambulance ramping, can and must be solved – it’s a matter of life and death.”
“We must also ensure we have a clear plan for the future, and for the health needs of a growing and ageing population, or we will have the same problems in a few years.”
“ACEM will continue to hold the government to account to ensure desperately needed health commitments are delivered as soon as possible.”
ACEM President Dr Clare Skinner said, “The people of SA have spoken, and they have said that health is their number one focus. We urge political parties contesting the 2022 federal election to heed this, and work with clinicians to ensure there are solutions for the Australian public health crisis on the table for voters in the federal election.”
“COVID-19 did not cause the health crisis, it simply revealed them. What we are experiencing in the Australian health system is not normal, it isn’t safe, and it can be fixed.”
“ACEM will support federal pre-electoral policy pledges that deliver considerable investment in health issues of federal responsibility, including aged care and mental health.”
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
