Adelaide hospital delayed to miss flu peak

The opening of the $1.85 billion new Royal Adelaide Hospital has been delayed to avoid moving patients during next winter's flu season.

SA Health Minister Jack Snelling says the new hospital, which was previously scheduled to open its doors next April, was likely to be completed in the back half of 2016.

"Obviously I'm very concerned, as are doctors and nurses, about moving the hospital in the middle of winter," he said in Adelaide on Wednesday.

Mr Snelling didn't rule out further costs as a result of the delay, saying the government will have to negotiate the financial details with the construction consortium.

Opposition treasury spokesman Rob Lucas slammed the delay and the resulting blow to the state's hip pocket.

Mr Lucas claims the total bill will add up to $2.3 billion once the hospital is completed, $450 million more than the planned cost.

"This project has turned into an unmitigated disaster for South Australia," he said.

"The taxpayers are going to have to pay a significantly increased cost."