President’s Update – ramping, election promises and The Health Debate
As the new year gets underway, AMA SA President A/Prof Peter Subramaniam reviews the latest ramping figures and looks ahead to the state election and a members-only health debate set to play a key role in shaping the conversation in South Australia.
On behalf of the AMA SA team, happy new year! I hope you had a chance to unwind over the holiday season and to those who worked through, my sincere thanks for your dedication to your profession and your patients.
I’m writing this week’s update from Japan – a nation where ancient traditions coexist with the fast-paced modern world. Shinto and Zen Buddhist influences shape a culture that values community spirit and meticulous order even amid the neon-lit bustle of the 21st century. As a visitor, I’m struck by how social cohesion underpins public wellbeing – though I acknowledge the reality for residents may be more complex.
For me, it’s a reminder that the health of a society isn’t measured only in clinics and hospitals but in how people care for one another. Japanese culture encourages this and perhaps there are lessons for us in Australia as we consider the challenges facing our own health system.
One of the benchmarks we use in South Australia is the monthly ambulance ramping statistics. A few weeks ago, we learned that 3,983 hours were lost on Adelaide’s ambulance ramps during December, bringing the total for 2025 to more than 52,000 hours. Let that sink in. More than 52,000 hours – each one representing a patient in distress and a team of healthcare workers doing their best under exhausting, pressurised conditions.
As we edge towards the 21 March election, the slow drip of health policy announcements to address ramping and increase capacity has begun. While investment and attention to health are welcome, South Australians deserve more than headline promises. In the weeks ahead the government must show how its plans will deliver meaningful relief to overwhelmed emergency departments, exhausted clinicians and patients waiting far too long for care. The opposition must do more than critique failure; it must present a credible detailed roadmap for health. I made this point directly to the new Shadow Health Minister Heidi Girolamo when we met for the first time on Tuesday morning.
In this contest of ideas and policies AMA SA’s role is clear: we are the independent expert voice that holds all parties to account. We will examine each pledge for substance, detail and deliverability and we will continue to advocate for a health system that supports clinicians and serves the public equitably.
And you, our members, have a rare opportunity to put your questions directly to our leaders when AMA SA hosts The Health Debate. I can now confirm this exclusive members event will take place at 6pm on Wednesday 11 February at The Capri Theatre in Goodwood.
Health Minister Chris Picton and his opposition counterpart Ms Girolamo have confirmed they’re eager to go head-to-head on the issues that matter most to you. To make your voice count, please send us your questions in advance – and some attendees will have the chance to ask theirs from the floor. Places at the debate are limited, so please register now. If your membership has lapsed, there’s still time to renew and secure your spot.
As we advocate for real solutions here in South Australia, I’m reminded during my time in Japan that strong systems and social trust go hand in hand. From the calm serenity of Kyoto’s Shinto temples to the vibrant energy of Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, harmony between planning, respect and community creates resilience. When systems work and people believe in them, society thrives. That is the ultimate aim of our healthcare system: order, compassion and commitment bound together in the service of the common good.
