Stirling Hospital

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (15:17): I take this opportunity today to bring to the house's attention an update on progress on the retention of Stirling community hospital at Stirling as it approaches 100 years of proud service to the local community. Since 1926, Stirling Hospital has, with community at its very centre, provided steadfast and high-quality healthcare services for Stirling and surrounding districts.

As I have addressed previously in the house, recent events have moved the community in a way that I have not seen in my years as member for Heysen. That included, most recently, last Thursday evening again at the RSL Hall at Stirling. Folks from around the state will recall last Thursday and, in particular, last Thursday night, as about the most rugged weather experience that we have had this year and for some time in the Hills. I think about 80 millimetres of rain fell, the wind was strong, and towns around Stirling were flooded.

But that did not thwart nor, in fact, did it chip any of the response by the community that night who came in sodden and under layers of winter clothes to a hall that had had 140 seats added to the room just to make sure that everyone could jam in on an occasion to hear from the board of the hospital answers to questions that had been identified on a previous jam-packed occasion in the hall on 11 May and over the month following about just how exactly could a board of a hospital, carrying that 100-year legacy, come to a conclusion that the only way forward was to shut up shop and move elsewhere.

It is a pretty compelling statement of community intent to show up twice in such numbers—more than 250 people, twice—to the Stirling RSL to make clear that not only do they appreciate the service of the hospital to the community but they will stand up and make sure that no stone is left unturned when considering the way forward for the hospital.

I pay particular tribute on this occasion to the work done by my predecessor as the member for Heysen, Isobel Redmond. Isobel, as members may be aware, was herself a member of the board of the hospital for 27 years. She was among so many others of long service on the board present on those occasions, including board chairs that go back over now generations, who have spoken up in the clearest of terms. We have the capacity both as to skills and resources within the community to confront any challenge, and the board ought to make sure that it is engaging with the community in terms of considering options going forward.

Let's make no mistake: the Stirling Hospital, led well as it has been, made an important decision some decades ago not to take up state support and become a state-run hospital but to remain independent. It has done so and remained in the black at all times throughout its history, and that is to its great credit. We are not now at a point as a community—and the hospital indeed is not at a point—where it has come to a crisis that is essentially driven by finances. On the contrary, there is no significant request for money, just as there has not been at any time over the history.

But I do say to governments, state and federal, as I have over this journey, that it is not enough for the Minister for Health to stand back and say, 'Well, it's a private institution. Let them get on with charting their own future.'

Ms Stinson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Badcoe!

Mr TEAGUE: What the minister needs to remember is that central to all of this is an accreditation process for which SA Health is right at the centre. The hospital has a history of three-year accreditation because it has always maintained the highest of standards. Just as all hospitals do, it confronts the need to remain accredited and provide services in full compliance. It is that point where ministers, state and federal, need to step up and make sure that they are providing the support.

What we know is that the board must now reset. It must now go back to the starting point, consider all options and engage with leaders of the local community in coming to a solution that keeps Stirling Hospital open at Stirling.