Private Hospital Admissions

In reply to the Hon. K.L. VINCENT (9 June 2016).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): The Minister for Health has received this advice:

There were no private hospital beds purchased and therefore no public hospital patients transferred and admitted to private hospitals due to lack of beds in 2015-16. In instances where patients do require medically authorised low acuity transports, SA Ambulance Service provides dedicated ambulance crews.

As well as inter-hospital transfers, transports can occur between community and home settings to hospitals for admission, outpatient appointments and hospital discharge. SAAS ambulance crews are a highly trained and skilled workforce and have the knowledge and equipment to provide an appropriate level of care to meet each patient’s individual needs.

All SAAS crews have access to high-level clinical support via phone on a case-by-case basis if required.