Brain Injury and Spinal Injury Units

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:54): A further question to the Minister for Health: how will the proposed brain injury and spinal injury units cope with 19 fewer beds at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital than the 53 beds these units currently have at the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:54): I don't hold with that reduction. I would need to check with that reduction that the Leader of the Opposition alleges. I know there is concern about the change in the number of beds for spinal patients from 25 to 22, but I am very confident that with improvements in rehabilitation and particularly with our engaging patients far earlier in their recovery that we can, in fact, provide for a lower length of stay which is going to be to the benefit of the patient, and it means we can get better use of the beds we have.