The State Labor Government said it is fast tracking the development of an additional 12 beds at Noarlunga Hospital, 30km south of Adelaide's CBD, and eight beds at Flinders Medical Centre, 12km south of the city centre, with it on track to deliver 130 new beds to the state's health system by the end of 2025.

South Australia is battling record levels of bed blocking, where patients stay for longer than necessary in hospital because there is not a residential aged care bed or disability place available. 

"While the State Government is building more beds, the Federal Government needs to meet its aged care responsibilities," said a statement from the Government.

"There are currently 264 people in Adelaide metro hospitals medically ready for discharge who are stuck due to a lack of aged care or community-based support – equivalent to a Modbury Hospital. 

"The majority are older South Australians, most of whom are stuck waiting for Federal aged care bed"

The latest expansion announcement comes as ambulance ramping figures dipped slightly to 5,284 hours in August, down from July’s record 5,539 hours.

Earlier this year, the South Australian Government also pledged $56.3 million to help older hospital patients awaiting aged care, including $42.9 million for “geriatric flying squads” where hospital staff help older patients transition into residential aged care.