Hospital Beds

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:39): My question is to the Premier. How many hospital beds will be ready for COVID patients when the borders open on 23 November?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:40): I thank the member for his question. Of course, we are going to create approximately 400 additional places within our hospital system in South Australia. Some of those will be in our own hospitals, and we have already spoken about the number of beds that will be available at Modbury, Hampstead and of course also down at the Repat. We are—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier is answering.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Some will be in the private sector and some will be created by taking patients who are in our hospitals who are better serviced by having their services provided at home. Those—

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Lee is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: As I was saying, we know that COVID is coming into South Australia but, because of our low rate of numbers in South Australia already, we know that we are not going to need those additional numbers for many weeks, if not months. In fact, we think that if anything the peak is going to occur early in the new year. All those beds or that additional capacity will be in place as and when it is required. These are decisions and recommendations which have been made to us by SA Health. We would like to have that additional buffer in the system here in South Australia, so that is what is being provided. It's not just about hospital bed availability but it's also very much about having the right resources.

One of the things you would know, sir, is that we announced recently our COVID-ready package to recruit all graduating nurses this year. Usually we recruit about 600; this year, we will recruit around 1,200 in South Australia. This will take the total additional—

Ms Cook interjecting:

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: This will take the additional—

Ms Cook interjecting:

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Thank you, sir.

The SPEAKER: The member for Hurtle Vale is warned. The Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.S. Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Very well.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, on both sides! Members will not respond to interjections. We were going so well.