A landmark agreement between SA Health and 13 health providers is set to improve access to patient services and revolutionise the management of hospital demand.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said a new Patient Services Panel has been established which will allow public patients to access services they need earlier at private facilities, resulting in reduced waiting times for elective procedures and increased capacity in our public hospitals.
"Public and private hospitals have always worked together, however this has traditionally been done on an ad-hoc, non-strategic basis," Minister Wade said.
"This new agreement allows for better planning and a more streamlined coordination of services to minimise delays for surgery.
"The 13 private providers include day and overnight hospitals which will primarily assist with providing hospital services such as elective surgery and rehabilitation, but also support during emergencies or major incidents.
"SA Health will manage the panel, which ensures the buying power of every taxpayer dollar is maximised.
"We are better coordinating and better utilising South Australia's health services to ease pressure on our hospitals and better support the health and wellbeing of all South Australians."
Chief Executive of SA Health, Dr Chris McGowan, said the agreement will provide a better, more efficient approach to managing waiting times for surgery, peak demand periods, and assistance in the event of a major incident.
"This agreement is part of our ambitious, long term reforms that broaden the way the health system operates in South Australia," Dr McGowan said.
"With this multi-million dollar agreement in place, we will be able to provide a better service for our patients while reducing red tape for our local health networks and help them better manage demand.
"It will also ensure we have a clear understanding of what services the private system can provide and how many patients they can care for. We anticipate cooperation will result in a reduction in elective surgery wait times and access to more timely care.
"The private providers are all nationally accredited and licensed, giving patients peace of mind that they will still receive great care.
"This landmark agreement is another step towards improving South Australia's health services to ease pressure on our emergency departments and deliver care closer to home."
The agreement is for an initial period of four years, with the option for a further four, pending the success of the first phase.
Approved Providers:
- Adelaide Community Healthcare Alliance
- Adelaide Day Surgery
- Calvary Health Care Adelaide
- Glenelg Community Hospital
- Integrated Clinical Oncology Network
- McLaren Vale & District War Memorial Hospital
- North Eastern Community Hospital
- Parkwynd Private Hospital and Griffith Rehabilitation Hospital
- SPORTSMED SA Hospital
- St Andrew's Hospital
- Tennyson Centre Day Hospital
- Vista Day Surgery
- Western Hospital
