Brain Injury and Spinal Injury Units

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:56): How is it, minister, that we can have a reduction of almost 40 per cent in the number of beds both between the brain injury and the spinal injury units and no diminution of services? If it was so simple to be treating these patients with fewer beds going forward, why hasn't this been in place in the past?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:56): I don't hold necessarily with the Leader of the Opposition's allegation that there is a 40 per cent reduction in beds. I will need to check with brain injuries, but with regard to spinal injuries it is potentially a very small reduction because we believe we will be able to get better use of those beds by engaging patients in their rehabilitation much earlier. I think this is something that should be applauded.