Health Services

Ms LUETHEN (King) (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Education, representing the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Will the minister update the house on health services in northern Adelaide?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (15:05): I am really pleased to have this question from the member for King who, along with the member for Newland and other members in the area, cares deeply about health services for people in the northern areas of Adelaide. Indeed, it's care that comes on the back of an election of a new government seeking to reverse the trend of 16 years of downgrading and degradation of our health services by the Labor Party, by Labor luminaries, such as the shadow minister for health—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —who was the Chief of Staff—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —in the health minister's office, such as the Leader of the Opposition as a former health minister.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will be heard in silence. The Minister for Education has the call.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: The Marshall Liberal government by comparison has been working hard to deliver improved health services to the residents of northern Adelaide. Indeed, we are spending more than $160 million redeveloping both major hospitals in the north, the Lyell McEwin Hospital and, of course, Modbury Hospital—

Ms Cook interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hurtle Vale is warned.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —run down so badly, so disgracefully, by the Labor Party for 16 years. Indeed, on Monday this week, I am aware that members, along with the Premier and the Minister for Health, attended the Lyell McEwin Hospital to mark the commencement of the construction of the new emergency department—

The Hon. Z.L. Bettison interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Ramsay is warned.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —an outstanding initiative, promised before the election by those opposite but never actioned to any substantial effect—

Mr Brown interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Playford is warned.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —being delivered by the Marshall Liberal government. This is, of course, part of the Marshall government's $1 billion hospital infrastructure spend, expanding the emergency departments at all of our major hospitals in Adelaide's north and south. Importantly, in addition to the improved health services, the $58 million Lyell McEwin Hospital redevelopment will create more than 450 full-time construction jobs, as this government continues to support the South Australian workforce throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The Lyell McEwin redevelopment, once complete, will deliver an additional 1,900 square metres of emergency clinical floor space. It includes the development of a new eight-bed mental health short stay unit—

Ms Cook interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hurtle Vale is warned for a second time.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —providing a purpose-built facility for mental health patients. It includes additional resuscitation, triage and reception capabilities. It includes a total of 72 treatment spaces within the emergency department and it includes increased acute and discharge facilities. Already completed as part of the redevelopment are 205 extra car parks in the multideck car park facilities, bringing the total number in that facility to 1,432. This redevelopment is just another example of—

Mr Picton interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Kaurna!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —the Marshall Liberal government getting on with the job and delivering for the South Australian community, a community that is benefiting from the advocacy of the member for King, the member for Newland, members of this new government, the work of the Minister for Health and the Premier. The improvements to the health system in this area, after 16 long years of Labor, are there for people to see. The work is happening now, the jobs are on the ground and the health service of the north will be the better for this government.