South Australia is expanding a virtual health service for aged care residents. 

The South Australian government says offering more virtual care could ease pressure on emergency departments, as hospitals continue to grapple with the issue of ramping.

Health Minister Chris Picton has announced 10,000 aged care residents will be able to be consulted by medical professionals remotely under the expanded scheme. 

In trials so far, 80 per cent of users were able to be treated at home rather than in hospital after their consult, freeing up hospital resources and long wait times for the patient.

“That reduces, we expect, six hours of time on average in the emergency department, two hours of time for the ambulance, and for many people what could end up being quite a lengthy hospital stay and additional pressure on the system,” Mr Picton said.

Patients spent a cumulative 3,567 hours ramped at SA hospitals in September. The latest figures are a 5 per cent decrease on the previous month but there has been a 6 per cent increase in the urgent, most serious cases. 

SA Virtual Care Service executive director David Morris says the service offers access to doctors, paramedics and nurses, with an average wait time to speak to a doctor of around 30 minutes.

“You'll get exactly the same level of expertise through this service as you would if you present to an ED [emergency department] physically,” he said.