Ambulance call-outs should be free: community service groups
South Australian community service leaders have called on the state’s political parties to make ambulance call-outs more affordable.
The St Vincent de Paul Society CEO Michelle Kemp, Louisa DaCosta Trust representative James Hill and SACOSS CEO Ross Womersley say that ambulances should be free, at least for those on low incomes.
In a statement today ahead of this month’s state election, the three groups said many people do not call an ambulance when they need one because of the costs, which are just over $1000 plus $6.10 per kilometre travelled.
They said although there are 50 per cent discounts for age pensioners, no other low-income South Australians receive a discount.
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“This base rate for emergency ambulance transport is equivalent to 1.3 weeks pay for someone on the minimum wage, and more than two-and-half weeks of JobSeeker payment,” they said in a statement.
“We need a commitment from all parties at this election to address the issue of ambulance affordability and ensure that everyone who needs an ambulance can call one without worrying about cost.
“Expanding the concessions available on ambulance cover would be a small first step, but ultimately we need a fundamental rethink of ambulance funding and costs. We need ambulances to be free, at least for those on low incomes, if not for all South Australians.”
