Modbury Hospital

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:47): Could I ask the Minister for Health to tell the house about the improvements that he's planning at the Modbury Hospital then?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:47): I can, very happily. As part of the state government's ongoing efforts to improve the Modbury Hospital, the member for Florey has brought to my attention the good work of a group of University of South Australia's occupational therapy students who recently undertook a placement at Modbury Hospital and worked with the local Tea Tree Plaza Walking Group to create an open air, green space at Modbury Hospital for the use of patients, their families and staff members.

This great local initiative is already underway, with new plants being installed to provide a new outdoor area at the hospital for patients and their families. The new garden area will be located to the right of the main hospital entrance and will help to beautify the hospital and create a more pleasant environment for people to congregate.

I am pleased to say that, as part of the capital works to develop and improve Modbury Hospital, the government will help complete this project by adding a shaded area to the garden to help enhance the garden and allow patients and their families to make better use of the area. While final quotes are still being obtained, it's expected that around $5,000 will be spent to enhance this space for hospital users. Can I commend the member for Florey for her important advocacy for this project.

In coming weeks, SA Health will also hold community information sessions that will give the local community a chance to meet with the clinicians at Modbury Hospital and answer any questions they may have and encourage residents to get along to see the transformation of the hospital. Under Transforming Health, the government is building a bigger and better Modbury Hospital that will see more than 3,000 additional patients every year.

As an elective surgery hub, the future Modbury Hospital will perform 1,800 more elective procedures a year. This not only means faster access but fewer delays for the community in the north-east. Modbury's current specialist outpatient services will all remain, with the addition of a gastroenterology outpatient service. The new purpose-built rehabilitation centre, with hydrotherapy pool and gym, will help patients recover sooner.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it's timely that Modbury also receive an expanded one-stop breast service for faster diagnosis and treatment. In contrast to some outrageous claims that have been made, Modbury Hospital's emergency department will continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Transforming Health will create a better Modbury Hospital, one that delivers the principal aim of providing patients with the best care first time, every time.