The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling on candidates in the upcoming South Australian state election to ease pressure on the state’s strained health system through greater investment in preventative care.

Released today, the APA’s South Australian election statement seeks to reduce ambulance ramping, emergency department visits and broader costs to the state health care system through a series of physiotherapy-focused policy recommendations.

APA South Australian Branch President Jason Collins said that greater investment in preventative physiotherapy to alleviate strain on the state’s health system should be a priority for the next South Australian government.

‘The South Australian health system is overburdened and current models of care are not working. This is evidenced by another four years of ambulance ramping and unacceptable emergency care wait times. We need to think differently about how this might be addressed,’ said Collins.

‘We have a history of innovative, effective utilisation of physiotherapy within the South Australian health system including spinal screening clinics, pain management services, advanced scope physiotherapists in emergency departments and a recent trial demonstrating the effectiveness of diverting low back pain patients away from emergency department care,’ said Collins. ‘But there remain missed opportunities with inconsistent access for patients. Too many people are still entering hospital pathways with conditions that could have been treated earlier.’  

‘The APA asks the next government to commit to investing in and building on these existing foundations for health system reform, and to scale and broaden physiotherapy-led early interventions which will reduce hospital demand and overall system costs.’   

APA National President Dr Rik Dawson said that 'the overwhelming evidence shows that increased access to physiotherapy delivers faster recovery, fewer avoidable hospital presentations and improved patient flow.’

‘What’s more, physiotherapy directly supports priority populations who are so often disproportionately affected by hospital wait time,' Dr Dawson said. 'This includes older people, those with chronic and complex conditions, women with unmet health needs, people living in rural and remote communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people with disability.’

‘Physiotherapy can alleviate strain on the hospital system, and, in turn, positively impact the lives of thousands of South Australians,’ said Collins. ‘Now it is on candidates to commit to taking action.’

The APA is asking candidates to support five priorities that align with the state’s prevention agenda and its goal of reducing pressure on hospitals. These include:

Priority 1: Integrate physiotherapy across patient pathways to reduce avoidable hospital demand.

Embedding physiotherapy across patient pathways would increase the effectiveness of the state’s prevention agenda. Integrating physiotherapists into existing pathways and community rehabilitation services would strengthen multidisciplinary care, reduce pressure on emergency and surgical pathways and keep more South Australians well in the community.

Priority 2: Scale evidence-based, non-surgical pathways to reduce delays, improve quality of life and lower system costs.

South Australia can significantly reduce avoidable demand by expanding physiotherapy-led non-surgical pathways across all LHNs. Strengthening these services improves quality of life, reduces disability and lowers system costs by diverting patients away from high-cost, low-value care.

Priority 3: Improve women’s healthcare and deliver the Endometriosis Inquiry recommendations through physiotherapy.

South Australia can strengthen women’s healthcare by embedding physiotherapy within multidisciplinary endometriosis pathways, expanding access to specialised clinics and ensuring that clinical expertise informs implementation of the Inquiry’s recommendations. This will improve early intervention, reduce escalation to higher-acuity care and deliver more equitable access to evidence-based treatment across the state.

Priority 4: Support a strong hospital physiotherapy workforce to improve system capacity.

A stronger hospital physiotherapy workforce will improve recovery after surgery, maintain mobility in medically complex patients and prevent the deconditioning that prolongs hospital stays. Expanding these roles frees up beds, improves flow and increases system capacity.

Priority 5: Improve patient access to care in rural communities through state workforce incentives.

Rural South Australians face long waits, long travel distances and limited access to physiotherapy, leading to missed treatment, avoidable hospital admissions and poorer recovery. A stable rural physiotherapy workforce keeps people well in their communities and reduces preventable hospital use.

As the election approaches, the APA urges candidates to support these priorities and commit to the reforms needed to ensure all South Australians have access to the care they deserve.   

Read the APA’s full South Australian election statement here.