Lyell McEwin Hospital

In reply to Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (4 August 2016).

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries):

1. The Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) has dedicated beds per speciality and, irrespective of where the beds are physically located; the patients continue to be seen by the specialist team. To improve patient outcomes, NALHN has established 'home wards' where patients are co-located with other patients who have similar requirements. This allows team based care and decision-making. Patients who are accommodated in other areas of the hospital are not disadvantaged and will continue to be seen by their home team.

The Lyell McEwin Hospital is increasing the number of specialist beds as part of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) to NALHN Transforming Health moves, enabling NALHN to meet the growing needs of the northern community.

2. The number of patients that meet the National Emergency Access Targets (NEAT) fluctuates from day to day, week to week and month to month. I confirm that advice provided to my office on 7 June 2016 included data analysis that showed since the establishment of the Modbury Hospital Short Stay General Medical Unit under the Transforming Health, there had been a 30% increase in the number of patients being transferred from the Emergency Department to a medical bed within the 4 hour target.