Question Time

Centre for Disability Health

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to asking questions of the minister representing the Minister for Disability regarding the Centre for Disability Health at the Modbury Hospital.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: About a fortnight ago, my office learned that the Centre for Disability Health at Modbury Hospital is facing imminent closure following contact from clients, family carers and the staff at the centre. Recent clients at the centre (only those who have used it in the previous 22 months) have been contacted to ask for their opinion about the possible closure of the centre and given only three weeks to provide feedback.

Meanwhile, health professionals working at the centre, I understand, have been told not to take on additional patients and informed that they should prepare their current clients for transition. The centre is the only one of its kind in Australia, I understand, and provides training and teaching placements for health and other disability service providers and hosts placements for students, registered nurses, GP trainees, psychiatric registrars and paediatric registrars.

The centre is accredited by Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited and it is my understanding that this accreditation will not be reapplied when it expires. The minister claims that the centre is not confirmed for shutdown, yet all the evidence points otherwise. My questions to the minister are:

1. Does the minister understand that the specialist training and services provided at the CDH are not provided anywhere else in South Australia through either mainstream health nor disability services?

2. Does the minister understand that many of the patients accessing the centre can often use only behaviour to demonstrate their health concerns?

3. Where does the minister propose health professionals refer these patients for transition?

4. Is the minister aware of the additional cost to the taxpayer and the reduced quality of care to patients that could result as a consequence of the centre's closure?

5. Does the minister propose that the National Disability Insurance Scheme will solve the closure when the NDIS does not specifically fund and provide health care?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:51): I thank the honourable member for her most important questions. On her behalf, I will undertake to take those questions to the Minister for Disabilities in another place and seek a response.