Nurses and Midwives

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:04): Supplementary: of the 370 new recruits, how many will be adequately skilled to step straight into an ICU role?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:04): The 370 is in relation to three particular metropolitan local health network roles. That is, I think, the third wave of recruitment that we have done since the COVID pandemic started. They will be in a range of roles and if a person needs further training to be able to take up a role that obviously would be made available by SA Health, but I do not have details.

The Hon. T.A. Franks: I am told it takes two years of additional training, so how many will actually be able to step into those roles?

The PRESIDENT: Order! I will allow the member another supplementary, if she wishes. Minister, have you concluded?

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I would just like to make the point that the 370 is not a graduate nurse focus program. It is an open program so we would be seeking experienced nurses whether they are from South Australia, whether they are from the public sector, whether they are from the private sector, whether they are from interstate or overseas.