Regional Health Services

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (14:26): My question is to the Minister for Health. How is the government supporting health care in our regions?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:26): The member for Giles, of course—

Mr van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Stuart is warned.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —is a very strong advocate for health care in the regions, and I thank him for the question. Country Health has about 70 sites across South Australia and provides an incredible service supporting the healthcare needs of regional patients. Last month I was able to address the annual Health Advisory Council (HAC) conference here in Adelaide. Members of the HACs play an important role in the support they provide with their hospitals and health services. At the conference I was—

Mr Bell interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Sorry?

Mr Bell: HACs are a toothless tiger.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mount Gambier is called to order.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I am surprised the member for Mount Gambier would attack the good work that is done by people who give of their time to serve on our health advisory councils, but nonetheless he is entitled to his opinion. It is not one I share.

At the conference I was able to inform the members that as of the start of this month, the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) now has an online portal which allows patients to apply for their subsidies and receive support online. I was also able to announce a community paramedicine pilot program which has been launched by the South Australian Ambulance Service. This pilot will see five community paramedic positions: two in Ceduna, two in the Limestone Coast and one on Kangaroo Island. They will work in their communities to help low acuity patients receive the most appropriate care.

While these announcements happened in the city, it is always better to get out into our regions to meet the practitioners, staff and volunteers who run our health services on the ground. So, following on from the trip that I took earlier in the year to Leigh Creek, Marree, Oodnadatta and Coober Pedy, two weeks ago I visited the Riverton, Balaklava, Snowtown, Clare and Crystal Brook hospitals and health services where I heard first-hand of their hard work and dedication to their local communities. While I was visiting the hospitals, I was also able to meet members of the Balaklava, Riverton, Lower North, and Southern Flinders HACs. It was great to have some of the HAC members join me on the tours where they were able to point out where community donations had helped to improve their hospitals, and of course talk me through their concerns.

Mr Gardner interjecting:

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

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Last week, I also visited the beautiful town of Port Broughton with the local member and Minister for Regional Development where I joined with him to launch the Butterfly Household Model of Care for dementia patients at Barunga Village. The Butterfly Household Model of Care is a groundbreaking approach to dementia care that focuses on the emotions of people living with dementia. Barunga Village is one of the three aged care homes selected in Australia to launch and implement this global model. It is exciting to see our regions being so innovative and dedicated to providing the best care for the sick and elderly.

I finish by acknowledging the hard work of all our country health staff, health practitioners and volunteers who provide such important care in their communities and give them an assurance that the government is committed to always providing safe and appropriate health care as close to the homes of our regional patients as possible.