Question Time

Hospital Management Investigation

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:09): My question is to the minister. How does the minister reconcile his refusal to answer our question regarding timing on this case with the fact that his chief executive, David Swan, was openly talking about this case on radio this morning?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:09): Of course, in response to the media request we have had to respond—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —but at no time has the chief executive of SA Health, or I, done anything to identify the patient involved. Of course, the media have speculated and I have to say I think it is regrettable that that has happened. Nonetheless, I will not do anything to intrude upon the privacy of the patient. I will not be providing information in a public sphere like the parliament that would tend to identify the patient. I believe patient privacy is paramount, and I am not going to do anything that would infringe or in any way prejudice that patient's privacy.