Hospital Security

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:01): Further supplementary question: will the minister reconsider reversing the 129 per cent increase in cost for nurses' car parking fees, given the increased risk this could create if staff are forced to park on side streets?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:02): The government, the department and the LHNs have a responsibility to manage the hospital precincts and maximise the safety for everyone who comes to the precinct: staff, visitors, relatives of patients, and so forth. Whether they come by public transport, bring their own car or the like, the government has, if you like, related the cost of hospital car parking with the cost of public transport metro tickets, and we will not only continue to maintain security in the hospital car parks as part of the precinct but also in relation to the public transport sites. I acknowledge the conversation that I had with the Mayor of Playford even before this assault.

I visited Lyell McEwin, I think it was last month, and spent a couple of days there. On those days I met with the Mayor of Playford and he specifically highlighted that he thought there was an opportunity to improve the public transport bus stops, for want of a better word, in the Lyell McEwin precinct. I know that, following the assault, he made that comment publicly. I am sure that NAHLN management will include that in their consideration. Considering that we have a redevelopment on the Lyell McEwin site, and the need for car parking going forward, there will be a need to refresh the car park at the Lyell McEwin site, and security can be considered in that context.