Women's and Children's Hospital

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (15:36): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. The minister referred to the closure of the Cassia Ward, which comprises 20 beds for children with medical conditions at the Women's and Children's Hospital. Does the minister intend to reopen the Cassia Ward with the unprecedented pressure on the health system in February?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:37): The honourable member's question highlights a fundamental point: there is little point opening a ward to meet the needs of people waiting for a bed if the bed you are opening is not relevant to them. For example, women at the Royal Adelaide Hospital will get no benefit from opening the Cassia Ward.

I can reassure the council of what I advised earlier, that both the medical Short Stay Ward and the Cassia Ward are currently amalgamated. However, the need is assessed on a daily basis and if a need is identified Cassia Ward will be reopened. This can happen at any time across all shifts.