EMERGENCY SURGERY DEPARTMENTS

In reply to Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (30 June 2011).

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts): I am advised:

The waiting time is defined as the difference between the date/time of the first operating theatre and the admission date/time for patients admitted via an Emergency Department.

The average waiting time for emergency surgery has decreased by 8.4 hours over the past two years. In May 2009 the average waiting time was 49.9 hours, and decreased to 44.8 hours in May 2010, and decreased further to 41.5 hours in May 2011.