11 October 2019
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch) has slammed the State Government’s action in closing 32 beds at the Royal Adelaide Hospital with more beds to be closed in other CALHN sites. 16 beds are also to go at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and 12 rehabilitation beds at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre and St Margaret’s Hospital.
Today, CALHN, announced bed closures which are being disguised as routine seasonal responses. However, we are being informed that there are no plans to re-open the beds following Christmas. This is further compounded by the fact that staffing levels will be reduced, and nurses’ contracts not renewed in the New Year making it difficult to reopen beds quickly if needed.
The ANMF (SA Branch) has been informed by members and confirmed with managers that a ward at the RAH with 16 beds will be closing effective from 7 November. Today’s announcement doubles that number of bed closures at the RAH, and then makes matters worse by closing additional beds at TQEH and in rehabilitation sites.
ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM says closing beds needed to create capacity for more acutely ill patients, some of whom have been waiting in the emergency department or overflow areas for days, is unfathomable.
SA Health data shows that our metropolitan Emergency Departments are routinely going into Code White with hospital occupancy rates far exceeding what is recommended.
Patients presenting to the Royal Adelaide Hospital Emergency Department who require admitting are still waiting for long periods for beds. Closure of this ward will further escalate the incredible pressure already being experienced in the ED and add to the likelihood of ambulance ramping.
“Every day, we’re hearing about patient flow issues creating havoc and here we have 60 beds being closed. We have to wonder whether the Minister is more interested in the safety of our community or saving money” Ms Dabars says.
“On most days, there are a number of patients, equivalent to the capacity of this ward, waiting in the Emergency Department for a bed.”
This decision is completely at odds with a commitment made by the Minister for Health and Wellbeing that no bed would close unless it was no longer required.
“To be having the same discussion this year that we did last year about reaching a solution to deliver an adequate number of beds to ensure patient safety is nothing more than Groundhog Day. Our health system needs investment not continuous cuts.”
“Despite Government claims the beds are not needed, CALHN has failed to provide any evidence that supports this contention. Cuts to beds are also at odds with advice from nurses across the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the wider metropolitan area.”
Whilst temporary bed reductions are not unexpected later in the year due to expected lower activity during the festive season, for example with almost no elective surgery being undertaken, we have always had assurances that beds would reopen early in the new year. That is not the case with today’s decision.
ANMF (SA Branch) are calling on the State Government to reverse this ludicrous decision and to put a hold on other beds cuts which have yet to be revealed.