Rescue Helicopter Services

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (14:18): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Are rescue helicopter services undertaking emergency retrievals landing at the helipad at Southern Fleurieu Health Service and, if not, why not? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr BASHAM: It has been reported by local media that the rescue helicopters have ceased landing at the purpose-built hospital helipad at the Southern Fleurieu Health Service, landing instead at Goolwa Airport which will add an extra 18 minutes to an ambulance ride.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The exchange between the member for Schubert and the member for West Torrens and the member for Morialta will cease.

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: They could not be heard by the Chair, and in any case, a point of order can be raised.

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: It was not heard by the Chair, therefore it has to be dealt with by point of order. The minister has the call.

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:20): I thank the member for his question and his interest in this issue. I can advise that a number of weeks ago there was an incident that happened on that helipad. There was an issue where there was a staff member in the neighbouring temporary car park to the helipad who was within the landing perimeter of that helipad. That was obviously a significant concern to the people who operate the helicopters in terms of the safety issues of that helipad.

As a result, a rapid review has been undertaken between Babcock, who operate the helicopters, and the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network that has identified a number of recommendations in terms of how to address this issue and address the car parking, which clearly will have to be addressed in terms of those safety issues on the helipad. While they are working through those recommendations and working through the plan on how to address that, they have had to identify a temporary solution.

That firstly was to use the Victor Harbor Oval, but then the local school raised concerns about the use of that, so now there has had to be a temporary arrangement in relation to Goolwa Airport being utilised. Obviously, it is a concern that those safety issues have happened and mitigations have had to be put in place. I look forward to the work that is being undertaken by the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network to address those safety concerns in terms of the use of that helipad to make sure that that can ultimately resume.