Viral Respiratory Disease Pandemic Response Plan

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:21): My question is to the Premier. Has the Premier read the SA Health Viral Respiratory Disease Pandemic Response Plan?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:22): If the member is referring to version 6 of the plan that we put in place for this, the answer to that is mainly. There is a lot of technical detail in there, but I am satisfied that what we have in South Australia at the moment is a very good plan that was only updated in March this year. It built on the work already in place in SA Health to respond to these types of epidemics—and now, of course, a pandemic.

I know members would be aware that really from day one SA Health held a series of workshops looking at all scenarios that we could be confronted with. Some of these were very small increases in the level of critical care that we need in South Australia, a moderate response, and a very much larger response that could potentially be required. I'm quite satisfied that the work is being done. The plan has been updated and we are now working through the implementation of that plan.

That is not to say that over time we will not need to go back to that plan. As I said, it is already on iteration 6, and I'm quite sure that as we go through this particular pandemic there will be a need to update it. Of course, post this event there will be a very good opportunity for us to sit down and look at how we can improve the situation and the systems and protocols that are put in place.