Oakden Mental Health Facility

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (15:02): My question is to the Minister for Mental Health. Why was the minister so quick to reject Ward 18 as an alternative for current and future Oakden residents, given that it was purpose-built for older persons' mental health and will be available in less than six months?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (15:02): I immediately sought advice about the appropriateness of Ward 18 and the clinical advice is that it is not appropriate for the sort of care for patients from Oakden. Ward 18 is for short-term acute-type care and would not in any way be suitable for the long-term sorts of patients at the Oakden facility.