The Ambulance Employees Association (AEA) has written to Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton, calling for immediate action to address the shortage of primary and alternative healthcare services in Mount Gambier.

This crisis began with the closure of Mount Gambier’s Urgent Care Clinic in June 2025. Since then, residents have been left with few options other than presenting to the Emergency Department or waiting for GP appointments. Currently, no GP clinics in the region are accepting new patients.

For both patients and paramedics, the consequences are serious. AEA members report:

  • 📈 Increased ambulance callouts and pressure on crews
  • 🚑 More ramping and delays in transfer of care
  • ⚠️ Patients deteriorating after hospital discharge due to being unable to access GP follow-up

The Government’s commitment to six new Emergency Department beds is welcome, but this capacity will not be enough to meet the overwhelming demand caused by the lack of accessible primary care.

As the AEA warned: “Without timely access to primary care, patients will get sicker before they can get help.”

Regional communities like Mount Gambier deserve healthcare that meets their needs. The AEA is calling on the state and federal governments to act now and ensure proper healthcare access for the Limestone Coast community.

You can read the whole letter here: AEA Letter