Queen Elizabeth Hospital

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): Supplementary question: has the implementation plan for the restoration of services, as proposed by Professor Horowitz more than two months ago, been put into practice, including adequate staffing and bed numbers and replacement of ageing equipment?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:25): Professor Horowitz is one clinician who has been, naturally, a very vocal contributor to the debate around modernising our health system, particularly in and around The QEH. I am certainly looking forward to the opportunity to be able to meet with Professor Horowitz. I think that meeting has already been arranged, but if it hasn't been, efforts are underway to ensure that it does, because I have had contact from Mr Horowitz. I am very keen to meet him and ensure that his insights and his perspectives are heard as we work through the policy details.

But he is just one clinician; there are obviously a lot of other people who will have views around how this is rolled out. We are working through the detail. It is a bit complex, it is fair to say. I think all things in health tend to be that way, as I am sure the Hon. Mr Wade can attest to. So, there is a lot of detail that we are working through here, but we should be clear about this: the government has an absolute commitment that has been made. It was made back in June. It will be delivered upon, and that work is underway to ensure it is as quickly as possible.