Ambulance Ramping Hits a New “Shameful” Record

AMBULANCE RAMPING HITS A NEW “SHAMEFUL” RECORD

Ambulance ramping has hit a new “shameful” high as the number of hours patients spend stranded outside hospital emergency departments increases yet again.

The latest ramping statistics show ambulances were ramped for 7074 hours in August, a record, and more than any other time in history, including during COVID.

Leader of the Opposition Basil Zempilas described the latest figures as “shameful” and said the Cook Labor Government had failed West Australians in health at the expense of a succession of pet projects, such as the Burswood racetrack.

“The second consecutive month of the highest levels of ambulance ramping ever in this State is a damning indictment on this State Government,” Mr Zempilas said.

“But it’s more than that, behind every one of these 7074 hours is a sick, injured or dying patient waiting for treatment.

“The Premier can’t deflect and blame the winter flu season, older people getting sick and a growing population. All of these things are known. This is a failure of governing and it is shameful.”

Mr Zempilas repeated his call for Labor to axe the $217.5 million Burswood racetrack and to divert those funds to hospitals.

“Last week, more than 100 people had their elective surgeries cancelled,” he said.

“Last month, work orders at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital revealed more than 1,000 examples of maintenance and repair issues including water, sewage and radiation leaks, compromising patient and workers’ safety.

“The Government has ignored the pleas to listen from doctors, nurses and patients for years and as a result, our hospitals are now at breaking point."

"The Australian Medical Association says Western Australia is in the middle of a ‘full blown health emergency’."

“This merry-go-round of five Health Ministers have not come up with solutions that are working.  The experiment is failing. “Once again, on behalf of all Western Australians, I urge the Premier to make addressing the worsening hospital crisis his number one priority.”