Ministerial Statement

HEATWAVE

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.D. HILL: The current heatwave has placed increased demands on our health system. As of this morning, over 600 patients have presented to our hospitals with heat-related conditions. The South Australian health system, I am pleased to say, has withstood these extraordinary circumstances very well and has maintained a service that all South Australians can depend on. I have every confidence it will continue to do so over the coming days. Everyone in the health system, particularly staff in emergency departments and intensive care units who have coped with increasing patient numbers, and SA Ambulance Service staff who have soldiered on through record breaking days of callouts, have been magnificent.

Despite some recent respite in our overnight temperatures and a slightly cooler day today, our hospitals remain under pressure. Many of the patients admitted early in the week have not yet been discharged and, of course, people continue to present. Extreme weather is forecast again for Friday and into Saturday ahead of a cool change on Sunday, and all agencies are considering this in preparatory planning.

A range of strategies have been put in place to provide additional beds and staff during this extreme heatwave. SA Ambulance Service has also allocated additional staff. Further strategies that aim to increase bed capacity where possible are being progressed.

The SA Health Emergency Management Unit and Dr Bill Griggs, Health State Controller, are working closely with the State Emergency Service such as the Hazard Leader for Extreme Weather and other government agencies. Briefings have been held daily at the State Emergency Centre, and the situation will continue to be monitored for the duration of the heatwave. Agencies are working together to assist the community and minimise the impact of the extreme weather on South Australians wherever possible. MetroHomelink and Royal District Nursing Service are continuing to call and provide follow-up calls to vulnerable clients and patients, and this has been an extremely effective response. The Australian Health Protection Committee held a national teleconference yesterday to share information and management strategies across states with regard to the range of pressures that states are currently facing. As you would all know, Victoria is in a similar situation.

It is important for South Australians to support the work of hospital staff by heeding the important health messages, such as staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity during the hotter parts of the day and generally looking after one another, particularly the young and the elderly. People should also avoid attending emergency departments unless it is necessary. People will also need to show some understanding and patience as our metropolitan hospitals will be postponing non-urgent elective surgery and investigative procedures up to and including next Wednesday so they can respond to anticipated increased workloads.

The health system has coped well up to this point and is prepared for the next few days. This is only possible because of the hard work and dedication of the staff across the health system and the health workers in the community who have helped people in their homes. On behalf of all South Australians, I would like to thank the staff across our health system who have risen to the challenge of supporting South Australians during the difficult weather.

I just point out to the house and to the public generally that this is a very pressured time for the system. It is working as best it can, but there will be times when service delivery will be slowed down, when people will have to wait for things that are not urgent. On some occasions, as I have said, elective surgery which people will have been anticipating which is not urgent will be postponed. I regret that that is necessary but, given the circumstances, it is the only reasonable way that the health system can manage the demand. So, I just ask the public of South Australia to be patient. Obviously, the people in the health system are working through all the demands that are upon them.