The healthcare system is a cornerstone of any society, especially for the senior community, who rely on timely and efficient medical services.

However, a recent incident at an Adelaide hospital has raised alarm bells about the state of healthcare for our elderly population.

This distressing ordeal has sparked renewed discussions about the accessibility and efficiency of healthcare services for vulnerable populations, prompting calls for improved protocols and support systems to ensure timely and dignified treatment for all patients.

On Wednesday, June 5, an 84-year-old woman in a distressing state of health was forced to endure an almost 10-hour wait at the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

This is not just a number; it's a gruelling marathon for anyone, let alone someone of advanced age battling significant flu symptoms.

The image of her lying across a row of seats was not just a snapshot of an individual's ordeal but a symbol of a system struggling under pressure.

An 84-year-old woman endured almost a 10-hour wait at Adelaide's Lyell McEwin Hospital. Credits: Facebook / 9 News Adelaide

Deputy Opposition Leader John Gardner painted a harrowing picture of the woman's condition.

‘At one stage, coughing so uncontrollably that she nearly lost consciousness,’ he narrated.

While Health Minister Chris Picton could not verify the specifics, he did acknowledge the unacceptable wait times—a candid admission that points to a larger issue at hand.

‘We know that our hospitals are busy, and that's why we need additional beds, and that's what we're delivering,’ he stated.

The city's hospitals have been operating under a ‘code yellow’ for over a week, a term that signifies an internal emergency due to capacity issues.

This has led to the cancellation of 458 elective surgeries, a staggering number representing hundreds of individuals whose medical needs have been put on hold.

‘We've continued to have every bed we've had available full and on numbers of days we've had our intensive care units full or overfull,’ SA Health Chief Robyn Lawrence said.

The crisis was compounded by a surge in COVID-19 and flu cases, which sidelined 278 unimmunised health staff who were unable to work.

While elective surgeries have resumed in regional hospitals, Adelaide's restrictions are set to continue, leaving many in uncertainty.

Ms Lawrence offered assurances that those affected by the cancellations will retain their place on the waitlist, but this is cold comfort for those in immediate need of medical intervention.

The blame for the health crisis was laid at the feet of the federal government by local authorities, following a state budget that saw a record $2.5 billion investment into health.

‘States around the country are being caught in the middle in this squeeze, of a failure of other service delivery, particularly by the Commonwealth,’ Treasurer Stephen Mullighan commented.

The distressing account of the elderly woman's prolonged wait at an Adelaide hospital sheds light on systemic flaws within the healthcare system, exposing the challenges faced by patients seeking timely medical attention.

This incident mirrors a broader pattern of issues affecting patient care, as highlighted in a recent report of another harrowing hospital ordeal endured by patients.

These interconnected narratives underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address deficiencies in healthcare accessibility and delivery, ensuring that all individuals, especially seniors, receive the prompt and dignified care they deserve.

Key Takeaways

• An 84-year-old woman waited nearly 10 hours at Adelaide's Lyell McEwin Hospital amidst a healthcare capacity crisis.
• Adelaide hospitals have been in ‘code yellow’ for eight consecutive days, resulting in the cancellation of 458 elective surgeries.
• Health Minister Chris Picton acknowledged that wait times are too long and cited a need for additional hospital beds.
• The crisis was partially blamed on an influx of COVID-19 and flu cases, as well as criticisms towards the federal government's management of healthcare services.

Have you or a loved one faced similar challenges? What changes do you believe are necessary to prevent such situations from occurring? We invite you to share your experiences with hospital wait times and the healthcare system.

 

[Trina G]

The fact that 278 staff are not immunised beggars belief in the hospital.

 

[PattiB]

Unfortunately this seems to be an Australia wide problem. I know that here in Tasmania the health systems seem to be in crisis with very stressed nurses, lack of beds & paramedics in distress. Why do we have so many sick people? I know for a while a lot of emergency patients only had a cold or an expired prescription so I hope that’s not still happening. I know that weekends bring a lot of people under the influence of drugs, alcohol & the resulting violence Leaving really sick people waiting. Health seems to suck up every cent & still need more.

 

[Rob44]

Unfortunately this seems to be an Australia wide problem. I know that here in Tasmania the health systems seem to be in crisis with very stressed nurses, lack of beds & paramedics in distress. Why do we have so many sick people? I know for a while a lot of emergency patients only had a cold or an expired prescription so I hope that’s not still happening. I know that weekends bring a lot of people under the influence of drugs, alcohol & the resulting violence Leaving really sick people waiting. Health seems to suck up every cent & still need more.

Now just you don't worry about that. The Tas State government is buying at our expense a $750 000 000 AFL stadium to build on public land on Hobart's waterfront and Clarence City Council is buying the AFL an $70 000 000 AFL training centre on public land in the heart of Rosny. Who needs a hospital, especially on Hobart's Eastern Shore where the population is growing massively across acres and acres of classic Australian suburban sprawl on good farmland? Given rush-hour traffic across the bridge how the hell can emergency services, particularly ambulances, get from the western shore hospital to the ridiculously sprawling eastern shore and back again between 7.30am and 9.00 ;and same between 4.30pm and 6pm in the evening? The worse-than-useless Tasmanian State politicians couldn't give a rat's backside; but you voted for them, Tasmania.

The root cause of Australia's medical distress is the fact the the medical schools will only accept the top 0.5% to 1% of school students, they set an idiot "IQ" test called the UMAT test and then they demand an interview; and medical school fees are the most expensive in Australia, leaving students with the type of HECS debt one does not need. Lower class students, don't bother trying to become a medical doctor, and the intelligent kid from a working-class family just get a trade. Or perhaps do Maths and Physics at university, get a First Class Honours Degree in that and then do a PhD covering aspects of nuclear fusion; yes, that is possible as you will only need about 80% for your school-leaving score and the HECS fees are less. It takes 8 years, as opposed to a medical doctor's 5 or 6.

Cuba does it better!

 

[Rob44]

The fact that 278 staff are not immunised beggars belief in the hospital.

Ah well, those seats look reasonably comfortable to sleep on and maybe to die on......... You'd have to do that on the floor in Hobart's public hospital

 

[Catherines]

Now just don't you worry about that. The Tas State government is buying at our expense a $750 000 000 an AFL stadium to build on public land on Hobart's waterfront and Clarence City Council is buying the AFL an $70 000 000 AFL training centre on public land in the heart of Rosny. Who needs a hospital, especially on Hobart's Eastern Shore where the population is growing massively across acres and acres of classic Australian suburban sprawl on good famland? Given rush hour traffic across the bridge how the hell can emergency services, particularly ambulances, get from the western shore hospital to the sprawling eastern shore and back again between 7.30am and 9.00 ;and same between 4.30pm and 6pm in the evening? The worse-than-useless Tasmanian State politicians couldn't give rat's backside; but you voted for them, Tasmania.

The root cause of Australia's medical distress is the fact the the medical schools will only accept the top 0.5% to 1% of school students, they set an idiot "IQ" test called the UMAT test and then they demand an interview; and medical school fees are the most expensive in Australia, leaving students with the type of HECS debt one does not need. Lower class students, don't bother trying to become a medical doctor, and the intelligent kid from a working-class family just get a trade.

Cuba does it better!

Only accepting 0.5%-1% of school students would, to me, sound good. I don’t think I would like to see universities & medical schools taking in so many students that they need to rush them through their medical education. I had an intern recently, working in the ED section of a main hospital, trying to find my pulse in an odd position on my forearm. My cardiologist was literally wide-eyed when I explained what happened. He was absolutely gob-smacked. So taking in top achieving students is needed especially when eventually they will become our doctors and our lives are in their hands.

Our hospitals are definitely congested and very much understaffed, I agree fully, but no one can be forced into nursing (including aged-care nursing) or into becoming a doctor. Those are very, very specialised fields. One has to want to do it, not be forced or go into these fields just to earn a wage or because we need more nurses and doctors.

 

[Jest]

no thanks. i will go private everytime and pay happily.

 

[PattiB]

Now just you don't worry about that. The Tas State government is buying at our expense a $750 000 000 AFL stadium to build on public land on Hobart's waterfront and Clarence City Council is buying the AFL an $70 000 000 AFL training centre on public land in the heart of Rosny. Who needs a hospital, especially on Hobart's Eastern Shore where the population is growing massively across acres and acres of classic Australian suburban sprawl on good farmland? Given rush-hour traffic across the bridge how the hell can emergency services, particularly ambulances, get from the western shore hospital to the ridiculously sprawling eastern shore and back again between 7.30am and 9.00 ;and same between 4.30pm and 6pm in the evening? The worse-than-useless Tasmanian State politicians couldn't give a rat's backside; but you voted for them, Tasmania.

The root cause of Australia's medical distress is the fact the the medical schools will only accept the top 0.5% to 1% of school students, they set an idiot "IQ" test called the UMAT test and then they demand an interview; and medical school fees are the most expensive in Australia, leaving students with the type of HECS debt one does not need. Lower class students, don't bother trying to become a medical doctor, and the intelligent kid from a working-class family just get a trade. Or perhaps do Maths and Physics at university, get a First Class Honours Degree in that and then do a PhD covering aspects of nuclear fusion; yes, that is possible as you will only need about 80% for your school-leaving score and the HECS fees are less. It takes 8 years, as opposed to a medical doctor's 5 or 6.

Cuba does it better!

I actually didn’t vote for them Robb44, it was all the other idiots! Maybe we’ll all move into the shiny new stadium, at least we will be dry with the roof closed. White elephant do you think? I love how the cost isn’t going to blow out, could do with them to help stop my household budget from expanding.

 

[Squizzy1]

Particularly at this time of year and our position regarding aged numbers, there will never be enough public hospital beds.
Flu cases are not generally treated in a hospital setting let alone the ED but by a doctor, just like Covid, people need to not go to the ED for every little thing but UR GP or Chemist.

 

[PattiB]

no thanks. i will go private everytime and pay happily.

That okay if you have private emergency centres where you live. Calvary have 2 hospitals in Launceston but neither have emergency centres, unfortunately. My GP Clinic has an Emergency Care Centre but it only operates until 8pm. I would willingly pay the fee if needed but we have utilitised the after hours drs. for my husband, who had to attend emergency at the public hospital & he was seen immediately. A letter from the doctor helped with that. I will never give up our health insurance, I couldn’t cope with being on a waiting list. Ted probably wouldn’t be alive without Bupa, or he’d most likely have a brain tumor or something truly horrible.

 

[Clancieblue]

no thanks. i will go private everytime and pay happily.

You can't go private for an emergency though.

 

[cblayney]

Disgusting

 

[Rob44]

Only accepting 0.5%-1% of school students would, to me, sound good. I don’t think I would like to see universities & medical schools taking in so many students that they need to rush them through their medical education. I had an intern recently, working in the ED section of a main hospital, trying to find my pulse in an odd position on my forearm. My cardiologist was literally wide-eyed when I explained what happened. He was absolutely gob-smacked. So taking in top achieving students is needed especially when eventually they will become our doctors and our lives are in their hands.

Our hospitals are definitely congested and very much understaffed, I agree fully, but no one can be forced into nursing (including aged-care nursing) or into becoming a doctor. Those are very, very specialised fields. One has to want to do it, not be forced or go into these fields just to earn a wage or because we need more nurses and doctors.

If someone from a working class family is smart enough to get a 1st Class Honours Degree in Maths and Physics and then go on to do a PhD in the esoterics of plasma physics in a nuclear fusion reactor (8 years) then they are certainly intelligent enough to be a medical doctor. But you only need 80% school-leaving marks, no intelligence test and even no interview to get into university to do a Degree in Maths and Physics. There is no need to rush any doctors through medical training.

These days, if a student gets a decent Law Degree and then opts to do Medicine that student will be able to do a post-graduate 4-year degree in Medicine and then two years in hospital, as do all apprentice junior doctors ,as long as that student passes the GAMSAT test which is more of a general knowledge test. Medicine is no more specialised, and possibly less, than any Science Degree; and doctors are not necessarily scientists; the better ones think scientifically, however. And yes there are very competent medical doctors around, just as there are very competent scientists.

As for finding pulses and shoving catheters into my arm; I would rather a nurse do those jobs , rather than a junior doctor in the ED, as they are generally more experienced and therefore competent at it. Top-achieving students very commonly lack the humility to learn"run of the mill" jobs in any trade.

 

[OldBells]

Sadly, the norm seems to be that if you are over a certain age you are going to die soon anyway so they don't want to "waste time" on you

 

[anouch]

it's so bad everywhere,,,,my child works in Qld as a nurse and started long service leave by doing shifts in a public hospital in another state,,they are screaming out for staff,,very sad state of affairs,,don't think the government gives a rats backside about anything so long as their massive pay check and all the benefits are still coming to them

 

[Clancieblue]

Sadly, the norm seems to be that if you are over a certain age you are going to die soon anyway so they don't want to "waste time" on you

You hit the nail on the head, I totally agree as I have seen this from firsthand experience. I had to fight for my Husband every step of the way. God help him if I hadn't been there. Waste of time you say but they are thinking of money as well.

 

[Squizzy1]

You can't go private for an emergency though.

Many private hospitals have an emergency if U have private insurance, and public hospitals take private insured as private patients too.

 

[Clancieblue]

Many private hospitals have an emergency if U have private insurance, and public hospitals take private insured as private patients too.

I was not aware any Private Hospitals had an Emergency dept.

 

[Penny4]

The 84yr old lady waiting for 10 hours is a bit ambiguous. She would have also been in the emergency ward waiting to see if she needed a bed in the hospital, or to go home.
I think the issue is also medical students want to become surgeons for the $ these days. My neighbour's child is training to become a surgeon and didn't get best/top marks to be accepted. The testing also involved how they speak to patients, because they wanted 'a people person' unlike the old style of an inhibited introversion manner. The problem now is there's too many student surgeons around Australia, so this person I know has to do more testing and interviews to continue. Otherwise, another medical field/training is in order. Besides it's not real good that GP's are looked down on these days, because they are specialists in their field.

 

[PattiB]

I was not aware any Private Hospitals had an Emergency dept.

Some do but not where I live so maybe it’s the same for you. Probably the domain of capital cities, but I’m not sure.