Women's and Children's Hospital

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:15): My question is to the Minister for Health. For what period of time were the non-sterilised syringes being used at the Women's and Children's Hospital? Was it 13 instances isolated to one period of time three years ago or was there a series of instances of infection control breaches over a matter of weeks, months or maybe even years?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:16): The information I have is that 13 children were affected by it and that is the limit of it. Over what period of time? I am more than happy to have a look and get back to the house, but it was only 13 children who were involved.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley will soon debouch out of the confines of this chamber. I call him into order.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: It was only 13. It is important to note that the new procedure that was—

Mr Marshall: When did they occur?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I know the Leader of the Opposition wants to hang out to dry our doctors and nurses, but that is not—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Then if you ask serious questions, listen to the answers. Give me the courtesy of listening to the answers.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Do me the courtesy of listening to the answers, rather than screaming like a banshee across the chamber.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: If you're interested in the answer—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —give me an opportunity to answer without screaming out every time I try to utter a word.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Can you keep quiet for even a few seconds—

The SPEAKER: The minister will leave the disciplining of the chamber to me.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Certainly, Mr Speaker, I am happy to, but it is rather difficult to respond to what is a serious matter when the Leader of the Opposition persists in screaming over the top of me. It is important to note that the new procedure that was put in place resulted in a significant reduction—a 50 per cent reduction—in infection.

With regard to the children who were infected, the chances of them having caught an infection because of this lapse in procedure was very, very remote. I repeat what I said yesterday: I think the Women's and Children's Hospital has acted in an exemplary way with regard to this matter.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader is warned.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: They have immediately, as soon as they became aware that there was an issue—

The SPEAKER: Point of order.

Mr MARSHALL: I ask that you instruct the minister to return to the substance of the question: when did the breaches occur?

The SPEAKER: I don't think the minister has strayed very far from it. Minister.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: As soon as the Women's and Children's Hospital became aware that there was an issue with regard to this matter, they acted appropriately and quickly. They contacted the 13 families—

Mr Griffiths: If you have the information in front of you, read it out, then.

The SPEAKER: Is the member for Goyder having a conversation with himself or interjecting?

Mr Griffiths: I'm trying to demonstrate, the minister referred to paper on his desk, sir. He should have the information in front of him.

The SPEAKER: The member for Goyder is called to order. Minister.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: When the matter was alluded to, the chief executive of the hospital immediately implemented an open disclosure policy and contacted the 13 families. The matter was briefed up to me—

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned for the second and the final time.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: And the media release was—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: And the leader is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: The media release was put out—

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon interjecting:

The SPEAKER: And the member for Newland is warned.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Can I say that this is textbook handling of an issue when they arise, and I commend all those involved for dealing with what is a difficult issue extremely professionally and very well.

Dr McFetridge interjecting:

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