ABORTION DRUG

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:18): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about an abortion drug.

Leaved granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE:The Advertiser of Monday 11 February stated that women are buying abortion drug RU486 online and having abortions on their own at home because they cannot afford a doctor's prescription or cannot get to a clinic. Experts have warned that women getting the abortion drug via the internet could be getting a corrupted version and be putting their health at risk. Dr Peter Sharley, South Australian President of the Australian Medical Association, stated on ABC rural radio:

The services for abortion in South Australian country areas are extremely thin and I do not think there are clinics in country South Australia that provide this service.

He also stated:

I'd have to warn listeners to the greatest extent that to get any drug over the internet from overseas introduces a danger that is not worth taking—we don't know what's in that drug...it is a gamble.

My questions to the minister are:

1. What educational and safety programs will the minister advocate to safeguard South Australian women from the risks of bleeding and infection that may be associated with the abortion drug?

2. As the Minister for Women, what conversations has she had with the Minister for Health about setting up services in regional South Australia?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:20): I thank the member for her most important questions and, indeed, the public should be extremely careful about buying any medications online because one has no control, or very little control, over what is actually in the medication and the quality of it—whether it has actually been through appropriate standards testing and is, in fact, safe for a person to take. So, irrespective of what the medication is, we certainly advise against that.

In terms of health education programs, that is obviously a matter for the Minister for Health, and I am happy to refer that part of the question to the appropriate minister. In terms of making sure that women are aware of the dangers associated with buying the abortion drug RU486 online, we have made sure that we have circulated the information that has come out about dangers associated with it. Certainly, the Minister for Health promotes that all medication should be taken under the advice of a qualified medical practitioner and, as I said, we advise against anyone going online for medications: it is just too risky.

In terms of health spends in country areas and the sort of commitment we have there, this government has invested significant funds in the country to ensure that patients receive medical care close to their homes and in modern facilities. Compared with the last year of the previous Liberal government, spending on country public health services has increased by $348.2 million, or 91.5 per cent. That is how much we have increased funding compared to the previous Liberal government. The 2012-13 state budget committed $728.5 million to public health services in the country, and I am advised that the following expenditure has occurred:

an increase in haemodialysis activity in rural areas, up 17 per cent;

the number of procedures conducted under the elective surgery strategy was a new maximum of 17,394 in 2011-12;

$2.283 million was spent on minor works, with the major expenditure for upgrades to emergency departments at Cummins, Mannum and Victor Harbor;

high voltage switch replacement at Port Pirie;

a wide range of other minor works, in addition to $1.735 million spent in 2011-12 to purchase biomedical equipment, including replacement of anaesthetic machines in Port Pirie, Gawler and Mount Barker and other monitoring systems.

In terms of hospital beds, I am advised that there were 2,834 overnight hospital beds available on average across our system in 2011-12, and this is four more beds than the previous year and more than 233 extra beds than we had in 2001-02 when the Liberals were last in power. So, that is 233 extra hospital beds compared to the former Liberal government.

Under this state government we have also employed staff across the health system. In June 2012 there were 3,517 doctors working in South Australia's public system, and that is 119 more doctors in that year and 1,336 more doctors than in 2002 under the former Liberal government. So, 1,336 more doctors are employed now than the former Liberal government employed. There were 16,154 nurses and midwives—609 more than the previous year, which is a 3.9 per cent increase, and 5,178 more than in 2002. So, in terms of nurses and midwives, that is 5,178 more nurses and midwives than the former Liberal government had in place in 2002. There were 3,245 allied health and scientific professionals—175 more than the previous year, which is just under a 6 per cent increase, and 1,321 more than in 2002. Again, that is allied health and scientific professionals at 1,321 more than the former Liberal government in 2002. We not only deliver the goods, we put our money where our mouth is.