Southern Adelaide Local Health Network

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:47): As a supplementary, arising out of the minister's non-answer, three very simple questions:

1. How many beds have been or will be closed?

2. How many were asked for by the nurses and midwifery federation?

3. Can the minister confirm that 20 beds at Ward RV at the Repat hospital will continue to be used on an ongoing basis, as claimed by the nurses and midwifery federation? Pretty simple, Mr President. Three simple questions.

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:47): I am more than happy to confirm for the honourable member that the existing 20-bed ward located by SA Health at the Repat's own ViTA site will continue to be available to SA Health. The unit will continue to be co-located with other existing clinical services and will be trialled for subacute services. My advice and understanding is that that is an outcome that the government has arrived at in conjunction with working with the ANMF. We thank them for their ongoing advocacy. We thank them for not just representing their members' interests but also, in their discussions with the government, making sure that the best interests of patients is the priority when it comes to delivering services. So, yes, I am happy to confirm that those 20 beds will continue to be available.