Private and public hospitals merge in $1.3 billion deal to expand capacity

Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed the government has struck a deal with the nation’s private hospitals, — expanding the nation’s bed capacity to 34,000. The $1.3 billion deal integrates the public and private health sectors to respond to the coronavirus and will open up access to private hospital staffing and critical equipment such as ventilators. Mr Hunt said the deal would assist Australia to be as prepared it as it could be to fight the coronavirus outbreak. He said Australia is the “best-prepared country in the world that has seen significant outbreak”. "In terms of the capacity, it means over 34,000 beds and chairs that will be made available to the public hospital system,” he said. "Over 105,000 full-time and part-time staff, including over 57,000 full-time and part-time nursing staff." Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au