Legislative Council Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2) 53 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Queen Elizabeth Hospital Queen Elizabeth Hospital The Hon. J.A. DARLEY Legislative Council Queen Elizabeth Hospital The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, representing the Minister for Health, questions with regard to patients at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Leave granted. The Hon. J.A. DARLEY Legislative Council The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: I was recently contacted by an elderly constituent who had to undergo abdominal surgery at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. They were advised that, rather than spending the night at the hospital after surgery, they would be taken by private chauffeur-driven vehicle to a nursing home in Unley to recuperate. They were also advised that they would be chauffeur driven home to their residence from the nursing home the following day. My questions are: 1.	Can the minister advise if it is common practice for private nursing homes to be utilised in this way and does this apply irrespective of age and whether the patient has private health cover or not? 2.	How many instances have occurred in the last two calendar years? 3.	How much has the government spent on the cost of accommodating people in nursing homes for this purpose? 4.	How much has been spent on car services for this purpose? 5.	Is this practice occurring because there are insufficient hospital beds? 6.	Is this practice occurring in other hospitals and, if so, can the minister provide the same details for all hospitals that engage in this practice? The Hon. I.K. HUNTER Legislative Council Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his very important questions—seven questions, I think—on private nursing homes and outpatients. I undertake to take those questions to the Minister for Health in the other place and seek a response on his behalf.