Lyell McEwin Hospital

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:09): My question is to the Minister for Health. Given that yesterday afternoon the Lyell McEwin Hospital intensive care unit was accommodating 50 per cent patients more than its capacity—150 per cent capacity—can the minister advise the house whether the hospital's recovery area was used as overflow and, if so, how many surgical procedures had to be cancelled because of the lack of recovery spaces?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (15:09): Certainly, our hospitals have been very busy over the last few days. As I have said, we have had a very bad start to the flu season. Generally, the end of the week is not too bad for our public hospitals, but even on Friday we had a bad day at the Flinders Medical Centre. Mondays are always a very busy day in our—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: We are having death rattles from the Leader of the Opposition. We have had death rattles from the Leader of the Opposition all question time, and the death rattles will continue, no doubt, for many months to come. I must say, those death rattles from the Leader of the Opposition for me are very reassuring. I love those death rattles from the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: I take it the deputy leader is objecting to the quarrel between the leader and the Minister for Health?

Ms CHAPMAN: And the question of relevance. Given that advice about death rattles, you would hardly want to be lining up to his hospitals.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Frivolous and half-hearted canned laughter from the opposition, but not a bad go.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: A fetid carcass waiting for the member for Stuart to come and cut him down. It is almost comical, Mr Speaker. There is no doubt we have been very busy in our hospitals over the last few days, and all the signs with the beginnings of a very bad flu season are ominous. With regard to particular locations, I am more than happy to have a look at that and get back to the house with a report.

The SPEAKER: There was a great deal that was out of order in the deputy leader's point of order, the leader's interjection and the minister's answer.