New Report Highlights Growing Pressure on Australia’s Public Hospitals

New Report Highlights Growing Pressure on Australia’s Public Hospitals

24 Jun 2026

The latest Ambulance Ramping Report Card from the Australian Medical Association shows that more than 2.4 million Australians arrived at emergency departments by ambulance during 2024–25, the highest number recorded to date.

The report found ambulance handover delays remain a major challenge, with ambulances spending significantly longer waiting outside hospitals compared with five years ago. These delays reduce ambulance availability for new emergencies and can impact timely access to treatment.

More than half of all ambulance callouts now result in a hospital presentation, adding further pressure to already stretched emergency departments.

While there was a small improvement in performance during 2024–25, the report notes that the broader decline seen since the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect hospital capacity and patient flow.

The findings highlight concerns about access block, where patients experience delays moving through the hospital system, contributing to overcrowding in emergency departments and increased ambulance ramping.

At a media conference in Parliament House, Danielle McMullen called on governments to address the issue by expanding hospital capacity, improving patient flow, and strengthening the healthcare workforce.

The AMA says these reforms are needed to improve patient safety, reduce delays, and ensure ambulances remain available to respond when emergencies occur.

New Report Highlights Growing Pressure on Australia’s Public Hospitals

Source: Australian Medical Association (AMA) Ambulance Ramping Report Card 2024–25

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