'Makeshift' treatment areas and long waits reported at major Adelaide hospital ED

Patients faced lengthy waits at Lyell McEwin Hospital's emergency department in early September, according to a report submitted to Safework SA by the South Australian Salaried Medical Officers Association. The union representative described the situation as distressing for both patients and healthcare workers. The hospital, which has been operating at crisis levels for months, will add 20 beds on Monday to alleviate the pressure on the emergency department.

Patients waited over 13 hours for treatment at the largest emergency department in Adelaide's northern suburbs. On September 8, more than 100 individuals, including 12 still outside in ambulances, required medical attention at the emergency department, which has a capacity for only 51 patients. Temporary treatment areas were established within the waiting room, with patients receiving care in various rooms.

Doctors noted that patients typically waited between 13 to 14 hours, with one individual with a dislocated hip remaining at the ramp in an ambulance for hours. SA Health Minister Blair Boyer apologized to patients for the prolonged wait times, acknowledging these numbers were unprecedented. The government announced the opening of 20 additional beds the following week for older patients who no longer require acute hospital treatment but need long-term care.

However, opposition spokesperson Josh Teague criticized the minister's response as deflective and questioned whether South Australians deserve such treatment.