Regional Health Services

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (15:10): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister please update the council on regional health services in South Australia?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for her question and acknowledge her staunch advocacy for people in country South Australia.

The Marshall Liberal government is committed to supporting the delivery of quality health services in regional South Australia, turning around the neglect of 16 years of Labor. This year's budget demonstrates that commitment again with over $40 million invested in additional country capital works to rejuvenate and expand our health sites in regional areas.

One significant project coming from this investment is the expansion of the Gawler hospital emergency department. Residents of Adelaide's growing northern suburbs, Gawler and the Southern Barossa will benefit from this expansion of hospital services at a key regional centre. The catchment for the Gawler hospital is expected to increase by 40 per cent over the 16 years to 2036. Just to clarify that, my understanding is that it is a 40 per cent increase from 2016 to 2036; in other words, 16 years remaining in that estimate period.

It is fitting that after 16 years of Labor neglect of the regions it is the Marshall government that is planning to invest in expanded health services in the years ahead. The $15 million investment in the expanded emergency department will deliver a fourfold increase in treatment bays, from four currently to 16 on completion of the project. Importantly, not only will the expansion provide improved capacity for the health service but it is estimated that it will create 60 jobs over the life of the project. The Gawler hospital also plays an important role in supporting the Lyell McEwin Hospital, taking transfers and relieving pressure on its ED.

The Marshall Liberal government is also investing in the Lyell McEwin Hospital with a $58 million expansion of its ED, delivering 72 treatment bays on completion of the project. The investment at Gawler comes on top of the $140 million previously committed by this government to address Labor's country capital works backlog. The Marshall Liberal government continues to invest in the health of regional South Australians.