Stroke Service

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): Supplementary: can the minister update the house as to whether he has made any inquiries as to why both the recent reportable deaths of stroke victims at the Royal Adelaide Hospital were not reported to the Coroner in full in accordance with the answer that he has just provided to the house?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:20): Yes, I have, and I am seeking answers whether it is in fact the case that medical practitioners have not fulfilled their obligations under the Coroner's Act, and I would view very, very dimly if any medical practitioner hadn't fulfilled their obligations. I am getting advice back. Obviously, the Coroner has made some remarks about referrals of matters, but this obviously rests with the medical practitioner who is treating the patient to make the appropriate referral to the Coroner. Not all deaths in our hospitals are referred to the Coroner. They are referred if—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: There are certain circumstances where a matter should be referred to the Coroner and, as I say, often medical practitioners will liaise directly with the Coroner's office to get advice about whether or not a matter needs to be referred. But, as I say, I am getting some advice back from my department about whether there were any deaths that should have been reported and, if that is the case, and deaths weren't appropriately reported to the Coroner, then that is a matter which will be dealt with appropriately.