Viral Respiratory Disease Pandemic Response Plan

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:40): Supplementary, and this may be one that the minister is not aware of in the response plan and has to take on notice as well: has a new triage system for our hospital emergency departments been established as per the response plan?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:40): We have over 60 hospitals, so I am happy to take on notice that aspect. Let's be clear: ED triaging has fundamentally changed as a result of this coronavirus pandemic. I am reminded of talking to clinicians who are involved in the Flinders Medical Centre coronavirus response, and they were making the point that there are a lot more people who are seen through the dedicated coronavirus clinics who are diagnosed with other conditions—nothing to do with COVID-19.

So in many respects we have what I suggest are almost parallel EDs: an ED for respiratory conditions (COVID-19 and others) and an ED for people who do not have respiratory conditions, whether that is COVID-19 or others. The triaging is certainly changing, both by design and by default.