Noarlunga Hospital

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:51): My question is also to the Minister for Health. Minister, can you inform the house about the progress of the infrastructure currently being built at Noarlunga Hospital under Transforming Health?

The SPEAKER: Is the minister in a position to do that?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:52): As a matter of fact, Mr Speaker, I am. I would like to thank the member for Kaurna for this important question. I know he takes a very keen interest in the Noarlunga Hospital, and I understand he will be visiting the hospital next week to look at some of the new facilities and talk to staff. It is well known that through Transforming Health this state government is investing over $260 million in new capital investments across our metropolitan hospitals, and this includes over $10 million to upgrade Noarlunga Hospital. Construction of new infrastructure at Noarlunga Hospital is on track, with some elements already complete and others making significant progress.

The completion of the brand-new Renal Dialysis Unit in April this year has already improved care for our dialysis patients from the southern suburbs. It features eight dialysis chairs, which are situated in a much larger unit than previously, meaning spacious surroundings and increased comfort for our dialysis patients. The design recognises the special needs of those patients who are required to attend the unit often and for extended periods of time. It offers enhanced privacy for patients as well as providing them with storage space and areas for their personal belongings.

Construction of the new day surgery unit at Noarlunga Hospital was completed last month and features a new recovery area as well as a second stage recovery area, with an increase from eight to 12 chairs, and a staff observation area. Development of two brand-new state-of-the-art operating theatres has now started and is on track for completion in March 2017. The new unit and two new operating theatres are key to transforming Noarlunga Hospital into the elective day surgery centre of the south.

We know from clinical evidence in contemporary medical practice that being in hospital for longer than needed is detrimental. That's why, where clinical evidence shows it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so, our clinicians are undertaking procedures that were previously provided as overnight or multiday surgeries as day cases, ensuring patients are not in hospital for longer than they need, and releasing capacity in our hospitals.

In the past year, I am told that Noarlunga Hospital has increased the proportion of procedures undertaken on a same-day basis by nearly 2 per cent. The proportion of 23-hour surgery has increased by almost 40 per cent when compared with last year. Further planned increases in elective day surgery at Noarlunga Hospital will mean shorter waiting times, shorter stays in hospital and better outcomes for patients in our southern suburbs.

The dedicated paediatric area in the emergency department has started to take shape, with construction starting last month. The new space for children will include dedicated areas for assessment and treatment of children, as well as dedicated waiting areas to ensure privacy for children and their families.

Noarlunga Hospital is open for business. Its facilities are being upgraded. The emergency department continues to operate 24/7, staffed by doctors and nurses. The hospital provides much-needed specialist aged-care services as well as better access to elective day surgery for the local community. Despite some dangerous misinformation that has been spread, Noarlunga Hospital continues to be a very important part of our health system for our southern suburbs.