Royal Adelaide Hospital bed closures suspended, Nursing Federation says after talks

A plan to close 39 beds at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) has been temporarily suspended by SA Health, the nursing union says.

Health authorities earlier said a private aged care provider had agreed to take in the elderly patientswho had been occupying the beds.

Australian Nursing Federation official Elizabeth Dabars today met department officials to ask for more evidence the beds were not needed.

"It was a productive conversation and productive meeting we have achieved a stay in the closure of those beds whilst consultation and engagement occurs," she said.

"We have been promised an engagement process that will be accompanied by appropriate information."

A comment has been sought from SA Health.