Mental Health Services

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Is the minister aware that, yesterday afternoon, 10 mental health patients had been waiting in an emergency department for more than 24 hours: six at the Royal Adelaide and four at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital?

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (15:09): I thank the member for Davenport for his question and his ongoing interest in this portfolio. The issue of emergency departments and waiting times is actually a good story for this state. Over the recent period, we have had a continuous downward trend in this area. In regard to the arrangements yesterday, I spoke with the head of CALHN and the head of South Australia Health and impressed upon them the importance of meeting our targets moving forward, and I will continue to seriously monitor this space.