SA Health Employees

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:46): My question is for the Minister for Health and Wellbeing about SA Health staff. Would the minister please update the council on support and recognition for SA Health staff?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:46): I thank the honourable member for her question. I have spoken in this place a number of times about the high quality of care and service South Australian health professionals provide. Their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted their professionalism in a very dramatic way. Both I and the Premier have expressed our thanks and congratulations to all our staff on a number of occasions.

However, our nation recently took the opportunity to collectively express our appreciation for the efforts made by staff outside of the pandemic through the Queen's Birthday Honours List. I would particularly like to highlight two South Australian health professionals who were honoured in this list. They are two officers of the SA Ambulance Service: Michael Berden, the regional team leader on Kangaroo Island, and John Shute, the volunteer team leader in Hawker.

Michael Berden served in a number of roles prior to becoming the Kangaroo Island regional team leader, including working as an intensive care paramedic. During the past two years he has worked to develop the concept materials and implementation of the volunteer graduated authority to practice project. This has been a significant commitment by Mr Berden and showed a clear determination to support the delivery of health services in regional areas.

In March 2020, it was my pleasure to attend the SA Ambulance Service's inaugural SAAS Excellence Awards, where I recall that Mr Berden spoke about the experience of his team during the recent bushfires on Kangaroo Island as well as the impact the fires had on his community. I particularly thank all our staff and volunteers who responded during these difficult times.

Mr John Shute also was awarded. He worked with the SA Ambulance Service as a volunteer in the Flinders region for 26 years, which is in itself a remarkable achievement. He has been a pillar of the service, assisting in recruiting and training volunteers. I understand that in remote areas the call-outs are almost always significant, and I appreciate that they take a toll on volunteers and paid staff. Twenty-six years of service in these circumstances is particularly to be honoured and demonstrates a strong commitment to delivery of service in areas of particular need. I am delighted that both Mr Berden and Mr Shute have been awarded the Ambulance Service Medal.

SA Health employs around 40,000 South Australians, and I know that many of them have a record of great commitment and dedication in the delivery of health services. I can't thank each of them by name, but through the public recognition of these two ambulance officers we extend our thanks and appreciation to all hardworking staff.