Ambulance Ramping

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): Further supplementary in relation to the part of the answer where the minister said that there were—and he would check—approximately 2,000 matters reported to the Coroner every year: will the Coroner be conducting an investigation, as the minister has announced there will be an investigation, into the death of 34-year-old ambulance volunteer Jason Mountstephen, who died in July this year?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:24): I should stress that in relation to both Thursday's case and in relation to the Goolwa case my thoughts are with both families. As I have already indicated in relation to the Flinders Medical Centre death, as with any adverse event investigations will look to see if and what the health system could have done better.

In relation to the Goolwa case, it is important to appreciate that we live in a very big state. We are committed to delivering the best possible health services to all of our citizens, including those in rural and regional South Australia. It is challenging to deliver ambulance services across the rural and regional parts of the state, but we do apologise to the family that the health system wasn't able to meet their expectations. We always strive to do better.