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Health services disconnect

MP says it’s time to work together

Lengthy delays reported by two Mount Gambier district patients needing urgent medical assistance in Adelaide have resulted in Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell calling for greater transparency and cooperation between the State Government, SAAS and the RFDS.

Tarpeena resident Marcia Layley contacted the Independent MP after waiting more than ten hours to be transported from the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) patient transfer facility at Adelaide to Flinders Medical Centre last month.

With a serious cardiac condition, Mrs Layley was transported with the RFDS from Mount Gambier to Adelaide for treatment, arriving at 10pm at night, however it wasn’t until 8am the following morning when South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) transported Mrs Layley to the Flinders Medical Centre.

Meeting with RFDS representatives in Adelaide, Mr Bell said he learned of an agreement between SAAS and the State Government stipulating they are the contracted authority for transporting patients.

“The Royal Flying Doctors have their own capacity to transport patients to hospital but an agreement between the SAAS and the State Government means that they are the contracted authority for transporting patients,” he said.

Mr Bell said regional patients, in particular were reliant on the service provided by the RFDS and SAAS and were being unfairly impacted by the agreement.

“I’m not being critical of the RFDS or SAAS, who provide an excellent service for regional people in need of medical assistance.

“But it’s clear there’s a need for transparency with these arrangements with the State Government and it’s probably time for a review and overhaul.”

At the meeting, Mr Bell also raised the potential of empty RFDS planes arriving in Mount Gambier to fly patients to Adelaide being utilised for transporting discharged patients home.

Mount Gambier’s Joan Tremelling also contacted the MP in April after waiting around eight hours in a wheelchair for a commercial flight from Adelaide to Mount Gambier following urgent medical treatment.

Mrs Tremelling said she was told by Mount Gambier Hospital staff that the “RFDS would return you” but instead, had to book a return flight herself and it was suggested she apply for the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme to help her pay for the flight.

Mr Bell said the 90-year-old resident deserved better treatment and it would have been a simple matter for the RDFS to fly her home.

“Instead of discharged patients having to make their own way home, it makes sense to utilise these planes, which are arriving in Mount Gambier up to three times a day, to fly patients back to Mount Gambier,” Mr Bell said.

“The facilities at the RFDS Adelaide base are outstanding and people would be able to wait in comfort until the next available flight was heading our way.”

REGIONAL PATIENTS DESERVE

BETTER: Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell discusses her recent health care with Mount Gambier icon Joan Tremelling.

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Carbonara sausage pasta

75g farfalle pasta 8 beef sausages, casings removed 400g brussels sprouts, halved lengthways 1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes, plus extra to serve (optional) 490g jar carbonara pasta sauce

Method

Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling water following packet directions or until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup (125ml) of the cooking liquid. Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break into lumps, for 5 mins or until browned and cooked through. Add brussel sprouts to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 mins or until browned. Add the chilli flakes, if using, and cook, stirring, for 30 sec or until aromatic. Add the pasta, pasta sauce and the reserved cooking liquid. Bring to a simmer. Season. Cook until well combined and heated through. Divide the pasta mixture among serving bowls. Sprinkle with extra chilli flakes, if using, to serve.