COVID-19 Hospital Response

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:33): Can the minister just confirm from his answer: have there been direct and targeted discussions about taking patients from New South Wales and/or Victoria if they become overloaded in the current crisis, and has there been any request by those jurisdictions for staff from South Australia in those jurisdictions?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:34): We have certainly provided contact tracing support to New South Wales in recent times. There are certainly discussions going on about the response to COVID both amongst the professional college—the intensivists, I know, are discussing these issues—but also the health ministers and national cabinet.

The health system readiness is a matter of active consideration, particularly at that interjurisdictional level. I would be surprised if there hadn't been direct conversations between New South Wales and South Australian clinicians, but other than the lady who came from Broken Hill I am not aware of any request to transfer COVID patients in the current phase.