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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-11-27 Daily Xml
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KordaMentha Report

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:47): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding length of stay reductions?

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: The KordaMentha second report on the bottom of page 33 says that there is to be a saving of $130 million, and I quote, 'from freeing up approximately 65 occupied bed days per annum'. I am advised a cut of 65,000 bed days per annum equates to about 178 hospital beds. My question to the minister is: does the minister think hospitals can survive with almost 180 fewer hospital beds?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:48): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. If I might note, the fact that he can reference a report demonstrates the openness and transparency of this government. We made it clear to the people of South Australia that we would provide both the diagnostic report and the implementation plan publicly. It reminds me of 2015 when, after the Transforming Health budget disaster was announced, the government belligerently refused to release the business case until six or eight weeks after the launch. They weren't willing to let their data be tested; we are.

In terms of beds—the honourable member's question relates to the issue of beds—the Marshall Liberal government will not close any bed that is needed. The recovery plan is clear that we will free up bed capacity as we reduce unnecessarily long stays. We will be able to build in breathing space into the hospitals. We will be able to manage the growth in demand with the same number of beds. Our hospitals cannot operate effectively if they are constantly full of patients. It is a recipe—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Let the minister answer.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Let the minister respond to your question.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister, go on.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: The fact of the matter is, every hospital needs to have flex capacity. It is a recipe for overcrowded emergency departments and for ongoing ambulance ramping if you plan to have the hospital full at all times. Every hospital needs breathing space. Every hospital needs the capacity to deal with seasonal factors. Every hospital needs to be able to cope with unexpected surges. The Labor Party, in one breath, criticises us for not addressing ramping, then in the very next breath says that creating surge capacity is cutting beds. They are a joke.

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