The Malinauskas Labor Government’s mismanagement of regional health infrastructure has been laid bare for all to see – with a MedSTAR helicopter forced to make an emergency landing during the middle of a football game at Balaklava.

Disrupting last Saturday’s A Grade game between Balaklava Football Club and United Football Club, the oval was cleared to make way for the emergency helicopter.

The ordeal attracted plenty of attention from onlookers – not only delaying the football game but also compromising the patient’s privacy.

Shadow Minister for Regional Health Services, Penny Pratt urged the Government to explain why some regional helipads were still not operational following recent upgrades – highlighting that this was the second emergency landing on the oval in just six months.

“This incident, witnessed by many, underscores the urgent need for these lifesaving emergency helipads to be available – not just in Balaklava, but around South Australia,” Ms Pratt said.

“It took over an hour to stabilise the patient and carefully transfer them from the hospital, into an ambulance, out to the oval and into the MedSTAR helicopter. In that time a patient could have safely arrived at the Lyell McEwin Hospital.”

Minutes from the March 7 Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network Governing Board Meeting also revealed that works on helipad upgrades at Murray Bridge and Meningie had not yet been completed, upgrades at the Berri had been delayed and that some pilots had raised issues with the fencing design at all sites across South Australia.

“It’s really concerning to hear reports that pilots choose not to land because the new helipad fencing is a safety risk to them, the crew and the patient. What was the cost of installing the high fences only to rip them out again?” Ms Pratt said.

“The Government has completely dropped the ball when it comes to managing regional health infrastructure.

“Regional South Australians deserve better than a Government that sees them as second-class citizens and fails to prioritise critical infrastructure that saves lives.”

Media Contact: Gretel Mead 0449 500 844