Two off-duty paramedics say an assault victim had to be taken to hospital in a police car in Adelaide after waiting over an hour for an ambulance.
The paramedics said they saw a "significant assault" take place at a petrol station and treated the woman, as well as calling emergency services yesterday.
They said after waiting 75 minutes for an ambulance, the victim was taken to hospital in the back of a police car.
Paramedics Darren and Merilyn, who did not provide their surnames, spoke at a Labor Party media conference the day before the state election.
"We travelled in the back of a police car through to the Royal Adelaide [Hospital] with us sitting in the back seat assisting the patient," Darren said.
"The patient was triaged as a level one trauma, which is a fairly significant injury, and taken through to resuscitation."
Merilyn said it was "frustrating" that they could not provide the level of care the victim required.
"We had to rely on SAPOL [SA Police] to get us to the hospital and that's not their core business, and so we're actually drawing them away from other people in the community that have other needs at the same time," she said.
SAPOL confirmed they attended the incident at a service station on Portrush Road at Glen Osmond just after 9:00pm last night, and transported the victim to hospital.
A 25-year-old Marion man, who was known to the victim, was charged with aggravated assault causing harm and was bailed to appear in court on May 5.
The SA Ambulance Service also confirmed the incident took place, and said while it was "uncommon", SAPOL does "on occasion" assist with taking patients to hospital.
"SAAS commends the off-duty paramedics and the police officers for their efforts," a spokeswoman said.
"Though distressing, a clinical assessment by the off-duty paramedics had taken place determining that non-emergency ambulance transport options would be suitable.
"Due to the expected response time frame, the decision was made to transport the patient with SAPOL."
SAAS said the patient suffered "minor facial injuries".
A day before voters head to the polls, Labor has been forced to pull an advertisement that claimed "ramping is worse than ever" after the Electoral Commissioner found the claim was inaccurate.
According to SA Health data, ramping times have declined by 47 per cent since their peak in October.
But Labor argues that ramping has increased by 485 per cent over the last four years under the Liberal party.
Labor leader Peter Malinauskas told ABC Radio Adelaide that the state has seen ramping "blow out by another 50 per cent" in the last couple of weeks, since elective surgery resumed.
Ambulance Employees Association SA secretary Leah Watkins said the wait times for some patients were "inhumane and cruel".
Mr Marshall acknowledged ramping needed to be improved, but said the Liberals' "plan is working".
"We've had a 50 per cent reduction in ramping since October ... and there's still much more improvement to come," he said.
