Royal Adelaide Hospital

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:53): I am seeking an answer to my question previously: what are the other alternatives the government is considering? Just to expand upon that, there has been mention that the government was leasing hospital beds at private hospitals. Can the minister expand upon that and also reveal the cost of that and how many beds are being leased and at which hospitals?

The PRESIDENT: Well, here again, I am not sure that this came out of the original answer, but if the minister wishes to respond I will let him.

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:53): I am certainly happy to answer the honourable member's question. You were saying, 'What are the alternatives?' One of them is My Home Hospital. My Home Hospital started in January this year, and it's focused on a particular set of conditions that are quite readily handled in a home environment, maintaining the highest level of acute care in a partnership with Medibank Private and Calvary.

I should also make clear that My Home Hospital-style services are provided by public providers as well. An example of that was—I am being distracted by the arrival of another minister. The My Home Hospital-style service is actually being used in the Central Adelaide Local Health Network for mental health care at home. I was privileged to be welcomed into the home of a family in Modbury for a My Home Hospital-style service delivered by the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network for people with geriatric care needs.

The South Australian health system has had hospital beds in the community for a number of years. It is this government that is taking it to another level, making sure that we take the opportunity to drive even better quality care through the use of technology.