Modbury Hospital

In reply to Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (23 February 2016).

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries): The dedicated ambulance service commenced 15 March, 2016. The dedicated Ambulance Service will be in addition to the existing patient transfer protocols. Patients requiring urgent transfer will continue to be transferred as priority 1 or medSTAR as appropriate.

Prior to the first phase of the intra-NALHN service moves, there were approximately 6 patients transferred from Modbury Hospital to the Lyell McEwin Hospital each day.

Since the service moves, patient transfers have increased by an average of 4 per day and are expected to increase by a further 4 per day following transfer of emergency and multi-day surgery activity. The service is capable of supporting up to 20 patient transfers per 24 hours if required.