ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL, MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:02): I am certainly pleased to hear of the high standards imposed by South Australia, because my next question is also to the Minister for Health. Is the minister aware that mentally ill patients presenting at the emergency department of the Royal Adelaide Hospital are currently being sent to a ward called P3AD, which exists on the computer but which actually does not exist? If so, what action is being taken? The opposition has received complaints that patients are being referred to this fictitious ward for the specific purpose of distorting the statistics in an attempt to suggest that the number of mentally ill patients presenting at emergency departments is decreasing.

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (15:03): The deputy leader, of course, is making a slur against the officers of the Royal Adelaide Hospital—the hardworking doctors, nurses and officials who work in that hospital. It would not be the first time that the deputy leader has attempted to defame the hardworking doctors, nurses and officials of the health system in South Australia. That is the only approach that she takes in this arena. As the deputy leader knows, I am not responsible for mental health issues. I will obtain a report from the responsible minister.