Report Shows Extent Of Logjam In Public Hospitals

Australia public healthcare system is facing an unprecedented crisis, with the Australian Medical Association latest Ambulance Ramping Report Card revealing record demand and dangerous delays that are putting patients' lives at risk. More than 2.4 million Australians arrived at emergency departments by ambulance in 2024-25, marking a record high for callouts and worsening handover delays that continue to be a 'daily reality' across the nation. This systemic logjam means ambulances are spending significantly more time stalled outside hospitals than five years ago, critically reducing their availability for new emergencies and leading to tragic reports of patients deteriorating, and in some cases dying, before reaching a hospital bed. The severity of this crisis stems from deep-rooted issues like persistent access block, where patients cannot move from emergency departments to inpatient beds, and exit block, where medically discharged patients are stranded due to a lack of aged care or disability support. Federal AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen highlighted that years of underinvestment, combined with growing demand from an aging population and more complex patient conditions, have pushed public hospitals to their breaking point, despite frontline staff working tirelessly. While a recent federal government commitment of an additional $25 billion under a new National Health Reform Agreement is a start, the AMA suggests it might not be enough to truly clear the logjam, which has become a structural feature rather than a temporary surge. Moving forward, the AMA is urgently pushing for comprehensive reforms: expanding hospital capacity, drastically improving patient flow, and making substantial investments in the healthcare workforce. State and federal governments are under pressure to collaborate on these long-term solutions, particularly addressing the bottlenecks in aged care and community support that exacerbate hospital gridlock. Without decisive action, the dangerous cycle of ambulance ramping and its dire consequences for patient safety and paramedic well-being will continue to plague Australia public health system.