Renal Dialysis Services

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:37): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing on the topic of changes to health services, including renal services.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: A constituent, who is in late stage renal failure, has informed my office that she and others in her support group were not directly notified when kidney transplants came to a halt due to COVID-19. That constituent found that patients who were on dialysis or awaiting transplants were directly notified, but other patients who also do need to know of the changes, including herself, were not. Publication of these changes seemed largely to be done online and in social media. My questions to the minister are:

1. How are renal patients notified of changes to transplant procedures?

2. What direct notifications were prioritised based on service levels?

3. How will communication with patients for renal services, but also for all health services that are subject to consistent and current change, be improved in the future?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:39): I thank the honourable member for her questions, which highlight a significant issue, particularly in times like these. The nature of the pandemic is that, not only in relation to health services but in relation to so many parts of the operation of our society, there were regular and significant changes and communication was very important. I accept the point the honourable member made that not everyone uses electronic means for communication. I will certainly take on notice the question the honourable member asked and seek further information. Certainly, if there was a failure to communicate with all of the relevant cohort in terms of people who need information, I'm sure that SA Health would want to take that on board.