Regional Health Services

In reply to the Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) ().20 February 2024).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has advised:

The state government has demonstrated its support for increased investment in regional health care, increasing the budget for regional health services by $165 million over the past two years.

For important regional health infrastructure, early works are underway for significant upgrades to the Gawler, Naracoorte and Kangaroo Island hospitals. Design works have started for several others including Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Port Pirie, Victor Harbor, Clare, Port Augusta and Whyalla.

The state government works closely with its commonwealth counterparts and takes all opportunities to advocate for the best outcomes for South Australian regional communities.

In relation to the specific Innovative Models of Care Program, this is a relatively small commonwealth grants program which supports specific geographic areas to try new ways of delivering health care. The grants program has so far supported trials in four Australian states. This is allowing them to trial innovative models of health care, many of which are already in place in South Australia. For example, an Innovative Models of Care grant is funding a trial medical trainee single employer model in NSW, which we already have in place at South Australia's Riverland at the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence and are looking at expanding across the state. Similarly, the grants are supporting a trial of a 'community paramedic' role in Victoria, which South Australia has already trialled and implemented in Ceduna and Robe. South Australia is ahead of the country in many of the workforce supports and healthcare models we offer regional communities. South Australia is considering applications for later grant funding rounds under the Innovative Models of Care Program.