It followed this week’s announcement of forced emergency department closures at Angaston District Hospital and GP shortages across regional SA.

AEA General Secretary Paul Ekkelboom told InDaily there was “profound” concerns that ambulance staffing shortages would leave regional patients vulnerable they would receive emergency care.

“The government must redirect the millions of dollars it currently spends trying to fill vacant ambulance shifts on overtime, and instead actually fund safe and sustainable staffing levels in country SA,” Ekkelboom said.

Health Minister Chris Picton told ABC Radio yesterday morning the text message was standard protocol.

“This is a regular text message which is sent out, as I understand it, every day to alert people to where there’s opportunities to do ove

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