Hospital Beds

17 The Hon. S.G. WADE ().6 July 2022). Of the 180 beds that the government has stated have become operational since 19 March 2022:

1. Where are these sets of beds?

2. How many beds in each set?

3. What type of care is provided in each set?

4. When is each set currently funded until?

5. Which sets, if any, received ongoing funding in the 2022-23 budget?

6. How many of these beds were part of the Marshall government's planned beds?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has advised:

The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has been advised that upon coming to government, SA Health advised that there was due to be a drastic increase in the number of COVID cases, and presentations due to the winter demand, forcing further pressure on the system.

The incoming government requested SA Health to increase as much capacity as possible during this predicted surge in hospitalisations with over 200 beds being opened. The introduction of these beds was a significant boost to the capacity across our hospital system. The beds cover a range of different types of care including intensive care, subacute, paediatric and obstetrics beds.

These new beds were in addition to beds that had already opened under the previous government.

Funding for the hospital beds was provided in the COVID-19 measures in the State Budget. The Member is encouraged to refer to the 2022-23 state budget papers for further information.