GP PLUS EMERGENCY HOSPITAL TASK FORCE

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (14:05): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.D. HILL: On Tuesday this week I announced the formation of a new task force to provide advice to the government on the services to be provided in GP Plus emergency hospitals in country South Australia. I am pleased to announce that Mr Peter Blacker will be the independent chair of that task force.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.D. HILL: A great man whose merit is applauded by the other side. I am glad to see there is bipartisan support for his appointment. The task force will also include representatives from the Rural Doctors Association, the Australian Nursing Federation, the Australian Medical Association and the Country Health SA Advisory Council. It has been very—

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: Dean Brown would've been good.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: He was my second choice. It has been very disappointing that, since the launch of the Country Health Care Plan, many misapprehensions about it have been maliciously spread. I make it plain that, under the plan, no country hospital will be closed; emergency services—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: The big lie is being promoted again. Under the plan, emergency services will be available in every hospital, and more services will be available in the country. There has been a call for greater clarity about the services that will be provided in GP Plus emergency hospitals. The new task force will work with local communities over the next six months, in particular local doctors and nurses, to further develop—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Leader of the Opposition!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: —the future service profile for each hospital. I have also released a detailed breakdown of the GP Plus emergency hospitals, making it clear which ones are likely to maintain current services over the 10 years of the plan (of course, that very much relates to workforce issues), and which hospitals may need to change their service profile in line with workforce changes and safety and quality compliance.

I hope that these changes will assure people in the country of what I have been saying all along: this is a 10-year plan, not a 10-minute plan. I look forward to further discussions with country doctors, nurses and community members during the period of consultation.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!