Allegations that hospital bosses have given orders for patients in ambulances to jump the queue surfaced today, amid increasing ambulance ramping levels.

Health Minister Chris Picton denied there had been any political pressure to reduce the ramping.

Ramping in Adelaide’s hospitals continues to be a serious issue now affecting hospitals (9News)

Emergency specialist Dr David Pope claimed staff were being told to prioritise ambulance patients over those already inside emergency departments, regardless of clinical need, in order to drive down long waiting times.

He said it had cost some patients their lives and has been happening at all major Adelaide hospitals for the past year.

“The hospital managers will ring the staff in the emergency department essentially demanding that ambulances be unloaded,” he said.

”You’re talking [patients waiting] six, seven, eight hours and then dying of things like blood clots.”

Sick patients have allegedly died inside emergency department waiting rooms in Adelaide. (9News)

Picton said he had launched an investigation into the claims

“That has never been raised with me before and I’m very concerned to hear that,” he said.

Two independent clinicians have been appointed to investigate.

The ambulance union said it was working to understand why ramping rates were still so high.

You May Also Like

Top ABC political reporter is slammed over ‘deplorable’ analogy that has upset both major parties

By ASHLEY NICKEL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 20:26 EDT, 27 April…

Karl-Anthony Towns’ performance that saved Knicks came thanks to Kyrie Irving 

DETROIT — With roughly 90 seconds remaining in one of those season-defining…

‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Episode 3 Introduces a Weird New Cult: Who are the Seraphites?

The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 3 doesn’t just kick off…

Trump Vows (Yes, in April) to Bring Columbus Day ‘Back from the Ashes,’ and It's Important

Maybe it was because he was just in Rome for the…