Coronavirus, Nurse Employment

In reply to Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (7 April 2020).

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier): I have been advised:

The government has called for an expression of interest for clinical and allied health staff, with over 1,700 health professionals having registered their interest at the time of writing and has upskilled over 400 nurses to support acute care.

Data across SA Health for the fortnight pay period 11 April to 24 April 2020 indicates that three-quarters of the casual nurses/midwives available to work in this period were provided work and received pay.

Before the pandemic not all casual staff were provided work every pay period.

All LHNs are actively upskilling nurses and midwives, including casuals, through local programs, with over 400 nurses/midwives having completed upskilling programs to date.

SA nurses and midwives have the opportunity to undertake the commonwealth funded High Dependency/Critical Care online course. Places are still available and are open to casual nurses/midwives.

Many casual nurses/midwives currently employed by the LHNs were redeployed to other tasks such as the border nurse program at the Airport and the repatriation of Australians overseas.

It is anticipated the reactivation of elective surgery will see a change in the recent pattern of shifts being offered to casual nurses/midwives.