Ministerial Statement

PORT AUGUSTA AIRPORT, BABY INQUIRY

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (15:23): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.D. HILL: Yesterday in the house, I was asked by the member for Stuart about an investigation by the Government Investigations Unit regarding what appears to be a very inappropriate transfer of a baby to Port Augusta Hospital. I advised the house that I would provide further information. I can now advise the house that the Government Investigations Unit has started its investigation. As part of this investigation, the unit has interviewed staff at Port Augusta Hospital and staff at the Women's and Children's Hospital.

This investigation is ongoing. The two staff members concerned were suspended immediately from duty when management of the Women's and Children's Hospital became aware of the incident. They are still on suspension.

I also want to clarify something I said to the house yesterday: after treatment at the hospital, the baby was to be transferred for ongoing treatment at Port Augusta Hospital, not released back to the parents as I had assumed.