Mental Health

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): Just for clarity, is there going to be a specific mental health or transforming mental health document that is put out for consultation, or is this just something that occurs within the normal operation of the department?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:24): Well, there are a number of documents with regard to mental health, but certainly I don't think mental health patients in emergency departments are too worried about seeing a document. I don't think our doctors and nurses are too worried—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I don't think—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I won't be lectured by the Leader of the Opposition about health reform. I will not be lectured by someone of his moral fibre about concern for mental health patients. I will not be lectured by the Leader of the Opposition, but the simple fact is that we do need to change and improve the flow of mental health patients through the system. As I have repeatedly said, it is completely unacceptable for a mental health patient to have to wait more than 24 hours before admission into an acute care bed. We are taking a number of steps to make sure the commitments I have given are met.