Health Review

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): My question is to the Minister for Health. Does the minister stand by his claim that 95 per cent of clinicians support Transforming Health, given today's development? With your leave and that of the house I will explain. Today, in an open letter, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons states, 'There is no evidence to support the claim of the [Transforming Health] Team, who say 95 per cent of clinicians are in support of these controversial plans.'

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:25): Yes, I do stand by them. I do believe that Transforming Health has overwhelming support from clinicians. Of course, from time to time, there are going to be individual aspects of the reform that we need to work through and individual clinicians are going to have issues with. A good example of that is with regard to the transfer of emergency surgery from the Modbury Hospital to the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

Surgeons there said it was important to have a team ready to come in to deal with a patient who suddenly deteriorates overnight (after hours) at the Modbury Hospital, and that is something we agreed to, because it made sense and it made sure that people were kept safe if they were having a procedure. So, of course, there are occasionally going to be issues, but in terms of the thrust of the reforms, yes, I do believe 95 per cent of clinicians who work in the health system support it.

Mr Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta is called to order.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: In time, given certain phone calls I have received from clinicians who have been disgusted by the behaviour of some of their colleagues, I think we are going to hear from more clinicians coming out and providing public support for these proposals. I know of one particular extraordinarily prominent clinician who will be very shortly making announcements in support of—

Mr Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta is warned.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —Transforming Health, and I can say, when that happens, the opposition are going to look very silly indeed.