South Australians are set to benefit from an unprecedented boost to the state’s hospital capacity, as the Marshall Liberal Government announces the next part of a $123 million boost in health system capacity to get South Australia COVID-ready.
The Government today revealed another 93 additional beds will be created in the state’s public health system, located across Modbury Hospital, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre and the Repat as part of its COVID-response.
Premier Steven Marshall said that, following months of detailed transition planning, the investments announced today reassure South Australians that the state will be ready for eased restrictions and relaxed borders when vaccination targets are met.
“Throughout the pandemic, our public health response has been central to keeping us safe and strong.As we look to further ease borders and restrictions, we are making our health system even stronger to ensure South Australia is COVID-ready,” Premier Marshall said.
“As we move closer to reaching our vaccination targets, we are building a stronger, more agile health system to ensure South Australians have access to the care they need when we relax our borders and learn to live with COVID-19 in the community.
“South Australia has been the envy of the world throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are delivering a strong COVID-ready plan to keep our community safe and our economy strong going forward.”
Today we announce 46 additional beds will be established at the Modbury Hospital, 38 at the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre and nine at the Repat Health Precinct. These beds come in addition to more than 45 beds already announced across the Gawler Health Service and the Repat.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said bolstering the state’s hospital capacity comes in addition to a significant investment in the state’s health workforce.
“Bolstering the state’s hospital capacity and workforce is at the centre of the Marshall Liberal Government’s plans to get South Australia COVID-ready,” Minister Wade said.
“This hospital capacity boost comes in addition to our recent commitment to recruit 1,200 nurses and midwives. This recruitment surge is on top of the record number of health professionals already employed across South Australia, as highlighted by the recent independent Auditor-General’s Report.
“We are adding hundreds of beds, in both public and private hospitals, as well as out-of-hospital care services that provide hospital level care in a person’s home environment. By the end of this month over a quarter of these beds will be open to support existing needs in the community.
“We want to assure South Australians that when our borders reopen, this investment will ensure our health system is in the best position possible for all South Australians to access world-class care, if required.”
Further announcements regarding additional private hospital and hospital-in-the-home capacity will be made soon.
Latest data show 74 per cent of South Australians over 16 have received their first vaccine dose and 56% are fully vaccinated.
South Australians can book in for a vaccination at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidvaccine and walk-ins are available at multiple clinics.
