Flinders Medical Centre

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:52): Last supplementary: in regard to matters such as this and including this matter, does the minister agree that independent investigations should be conducted to determine that this instance and similar instances that have occurred in recent months should not occur? Will the minister commit to ensuring such an investigation takes place to ensure that?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:52): As I said, every day at health facilities right across the state—and, to be frank, in private facilities as well as in public facilities—patients will make decisions to discharge themselves or leave the facilities against medical advice. If the honourable member is seriously suggesting that every time that occurs there should be an independent investigation, I reject that. That would be a gross misallocation of resources. Of course, people have the right to seek medical treatment. They also have the right to refuse medical treatment. They have the right to leave facilities. It has always been thus; it will always be thus.