THE future of Gawler’s SA Pathology clinic is now secure, after the State Government ruled out privatising the public health organisation.

In its first State Budget after winning the 2018 State Election, the Marshall Government told SA Pathology it would need to achieve savings of $100 million over three years to escape being sold off or outsourced.

A report released last April revealed the public service had been running at a loss for five years-straight, including an $83 million deficit in the 2017/18 financial year.

The service has a patient collection centre at the Gawler Health Service where it performs blood tests, skin swabs, parentage testing and other specialised tests.

It also houses a laboratory to conduct medical testing which services much of the Adelaide Plains, Barossa and Mid-North’s needs.

Last week, Premier Steven Marshall announced his government had scrapped plans to sell off SA Pathology, saying it had “stepped up to the plate” during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it has been the primary testing service.

“SA Pathology has stepped up to the plate during the coronavirus pandemic and provided South Australians with a world-class COVID-19 testing service that has reduced the spread of the virus and saved lives,” he said.

“I want to thank their clinical lead Dr Tom Dodd, business lead Mark McNamara, and all the staff for the manner they have approached this important improvement to South Australia’s health system.

“SA Pathology has become an organisation of international standing in the manner it has implemented the State Government’s strong plan to counter the coronavirus pandemic.”

The service has conducted more than 53,000 COVID-19 tests since the pandemic begun, and according to health minister Stephen Wade, had achieved a first-year cost reduction target of $7.3 million and is “well on the way” to delivering a second-year target of $18 million.

On-time delivery of “time critical” diagnostics also rose from 66 per cent to 90 per cent.

“I have no doubt that the renewal of SA Pathology before the emergence of COVID-19 meant that SA Pathology was well positioned to respond in a world-class way,” Mr Wade said.

“SA Pathology has met each of the markers put in place by the State Government and is now delivering exceptional value for money to South Australian taxpayers.

“SA Pathology showed its innovative spirit by testing respiratory specimens for COVID-19 and introduced the world’s second drive-through clinic.

“South Australia has led the nation in terms of the number of tests undertaken and our testing rate is among the highest in the world.”