Ministerial Statement

ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL GYNAECOLOGY DEPARTMENT

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) (15:20): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.D. HILL: Early in question time, the Leader of the Opposition asked me a couple of questions about gynaecological services at the RAH, and I said that I would get further information, which I now have, and I will provide that to the house.

I am advised that consideration is being given to moving some gynaecological services from the current RAH to the QEH and the Women's and Children's Hospital. The RAH, I am also advised, will always remain the state's level 1 trauma hospital. Any changes that are being suggested will see the WCH and QEH offer more lower acuity care to women in their communities. In line with the SA Health Care Plan, this is partially to create additional emergency capacity at our major trauma hospital, the RAH, where, as the member for Morphett pointed out, there has been an increase in emergency surgery; in fact, up 10 per cent to January this year. Any moves would provide lower acuity services closer to where patients live, and that would be a good thing. This is about providing the right services in the right places.

There has been one meeting with lead clinicians, I am advised, from all three sites to look at what is provided, where and how services can be improved, and this is consistent with other arrangements we have done with other services—ophthalmology, orthopaedics and so on. These discussions are at a very early stage, I am advised, and no commitments have been made.

I am also advised that allegations of clinical staff being fired if they speak out are completely incorrect, despite what the Leader of the Opposition says. All clinical services that are at the current RAH will move to the new RAH, and this includes gynaecological services. At the current RAH there is also a drop-in type centre, where women can arrive without an appointment. As per the SA Health Care Plan, the new RAH will be the state's major trauma facility, and there may be some movement of primary healthcare-type services. I hope that explains it all for the member.