The issue of ambulance resources on the Fleurieu was highlighted last week in the ongoing stoush between unions and the state government.

The Ambulance Employees Association (AEA) used the community of Aldinga in two examples of incidents they say show the need for increased resources for SA Ambulance.

The single paramedic crew covering the south coast during night shifts has also been raised as an concern by a local union member on Facebook.

Treasurer Rob Lucas has made a conditional offer to “immediately invest in at least 50 extra ambulance officers”. 

However, AEA members would need to agree to roster reform, and for ambulance officers to take meal breaks at the station nearest their location, at the time they are due to rest.

The union say this would put local communities, such as those on the Fleurieu at risk.

Currently ambulance staff can return to their home stations to take their breaks. 

The AEA says, “Ambulances return to their home base to reset coverage for their local communities.”

“If ambulances had their break anywhere, these communities would be left uncovered.”

“Ambos remain available to respond to emergencies whether they are on break or not.”

A Fleurieu based paramedic also posted on Facebook to say they were concerned that only one paramedic crew is rostered to attend to emergencies on the south coast between 12am and 7am each night. 

They say the Victor Harbor stationed crew is often busy and ramped at the Flinders Medical Centre.

While the crew is away from the south coast emergency coverage is provided by volunteer ambulance officers from the Goolwa, Yankalilla and Strathalbyn stations, backed up by crews called from metropolitan locations.

If the Victor based crew takes their breaks at the stations in Adelaide they will be away from the South Coast for longer periods.

As part of their social media campaign the AEA posted a photograph of what it says was Seaford’s only ambulance during a shift last week, sent to Modbury due to demand in the north of the city.

The crew then returned to their home station for break but were called from there to help a sick child in Aldinga.

The AEA post says, “If this crew had their break anywhere, there would've been no ambulance in Seaford to respond to this child.”

It also cited another incident in which an ambulance had to be sent from Glenelg to assist an Aldinga patient suffering with chest-pain.

A rally calling on the government to improve SA Ambulance resources will be held in Victoria Square on April at 12pm and will be helpVictoria Square on the 1^st of April at 12pm.