Anaesthetist Services

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:35): My question is to the Minister for Health. Has the minister been briefed on how a shortage of anaesthetists in the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, including shortages arising out of the need for specialists to take accrued leave, is going to necessitate a significant reduction in the number of elective surgery sessions undertaken at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:36): I am aware of the fact that anaesthetics is an incredibly important high-skill function that is required in any public hospital system. I think a good example of that is the reforms that the government is leading at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where we are reintroducing a 24/7 cardiac service, which will be a great result for residents in the western suburbs. Through that policy exercise, which is complex and multilayered, I have had the opportunity to familiarise myself with the facts of how anaesthetics operates. This is a complex area.

In respect to the Hon. Mr Wade's question, I am happy to take on notice the components that he refers to in respect to the NRAH. Needless to say, we have seen the elective surgery waiting times improve in some areas, and we expect them to continue to improve in others.