Health Services

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:53): My question is directed to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Will the minister inform the council about how communities are being engaged in the development of better health services?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for his question. The former Labor government's disastrous Transforming Health experiment failed for many reasons, but one of its central flaws was a lack of engagement with the community and with clinicians. In place of collaboration, Labor pursued centralisation. The Marshall Liberal government has deliberately reversed this approach. We are actively engaging South Australians in the development of health services. The proposed redevelopment of the Strathalbyn residential aged-care facility is an excellent illustration of this government's collaborative approach. The Marshall Liberal government and the Morrison Liberal government—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: Point of order, Mr President: I would like to hear the answer and I can't at the moment.

The PRESIDENT: Order, from the opposition benches! Minister, continue.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: The proposed redevelopment of the Strathalbyn residential aged-care facility is an excellent illustration of this government's collaborative approach. The Marshall Liberal government and the Morrison Liberal government have committed $12 million to the expansion of the facility from a 56-bed facility to a 92-bed aged-care facility.

We have actively engaged the community in the design of the facility. The government has partnered with the Global Centre for Modern Ageing and the Australian Centre for Social Innovation to work with the local community in the design of the facility expansion. Together, they have developed a report that sets out the key design concepts for the facility and informs the development of concept plans.

The concept plans themselves were released earlier this month for further consultation. The consultation highlights that expectations for health care and accommodation for older South Australians are fundamentally changing. The Global Centre for Modern Ageing, through the codesign process, involved over 180 aged-care residents, community members and health professionals. The resulting facility is distinctive. It is rich in spaces for residents, their families and friends to come together and connect, with dedicated lounges, courtyards, dining areas and a spacious private garden included in the plans.

This extensive consultation ensured that a broad range of views was heard and considered, meaning that the upgraded Strathalbyn residential aged-care facility will reflect the needs of the local community as well as the expertise of the professionals who work within it. This redevelopment will not simply be a new piece of infrastructure in the Strathalbyn community, it will be an expression of that community.