Question Time

COVID-19 Health System Response Strategy

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding the COVID response.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: The government's COVID strategy document, released on 17 November 2021, states:

Mainstream GP clinics that do not have established respiratory capacity may not treat patients with respiratory or COVID-19 symptoms.

From 23 November, according to the government's COVID-19 strategy, do South Australians experiencing any level of COVID symptoms have to go to a special, separate GP clinic even if they have had a negative test, and when the document says 'may not treat patients' is that given validity with any particular order or direction?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:23): I will certainly seek clarification for the honourable member, but I suspect that 'may not treat patients' might mean that individual GP practices may choose not to treat patients. We have seen that in the pandemic thus far, and particularly we have seen it in relation to children. It's one of the main reasons why we have had a disproportionately large increase in ED presentations to the Women's and Children's Hospital. That's one of the reasons why we have invested in the virtual urgent care service at the Women's and Children's Hospital. But I will seek information for the honourable member.