Most elective surgery will be cancelled in Adelaide's public hospitals today as they struggle to cope with winter demands on their services.
The hospitals had their busiest day this winter on Tuesday, forcing the state government to enact a special management plan to free-up beds.
As well as cancelling the majority of non-urgent elective surgery for 48 hours, some patients will be relocated from metropolitan to nearby country hospitals.
Others will be discharged earlier through the use of programs to support them at home.
Health Minister Jack Snelling has thanked patients for their understanding and the doctors, nurses, paramedics and other staff for their hard work during the period of increased demand.
