House of Assembly Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2) 51 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Home Support Services HOME SUPPORT SERVICES Mr WILLIAMS House of Assembly MacKillop HOME SUPPORT SERVICES Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Health. What criteria have changed or been introduced to assess eligibility for home help services to regional South Australians? If there has been no change, will he explain why a 65-year old recipient of such services with multiple health conditions has been excluded from this service? Over the past four years a 65 year old resident of Naracoorte in my electorate has received home help services. Initially it was two hours per fortnight, then it was reduced to 1.5 hours per fortnight, then 1.5 hours per month, and as of January 2008 no support has been available whatsoever. Medical evidence has confirmed her long list of health conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, with her overall condition worsening, not improving, over time. The resident has been informed, first, that she did not meet the criteria and, more recently, that there is a lack of funding and there are more in need than her. The Hon. J.D. HILL House of Assembly Kaurna Minister for Health Minister for the Southern Suburbs Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts HOME SUPPORT SERVICES The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (14:54): Obviously, I am not aware of the details of this particular person. I am not sure whether the member has written to me about the issue. If he had, I could find that out. Mr Williams House of Assembly Mr Williams: You have had correspondence. The Hon. J.D. HILL House of Assembly The Hon. J.D. HILL: From you? Mr Williams House of Assembly Mr Williams: Yes. The Hon. J.D. HILL House of Assembly The Hon. J.D. HILL: I am not aware of the particular circumstances. I will certainly have it investigated. However, as I understand it, there have been no changes in the criteria. The budget, as I am aware of it, has not changed, so I am not sure what the problem is. However, I am happy to obtain a report for the member.