Flinders Medical Centre

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding health. As part of the Southern Health Expansion Plan, how many beds at the Flinders Medical Centre are being closed to make way for the expanded emergency department? Secondly, what is the net increase or decrease of overall beds at the hospital at the end of that redevelopment?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:32): I thank the honourable member for his question. I think it's important to see the Flinders Medical Centre ED expansion in the context of the Southern Health Expansion Plan, of which it's a part. That is an $86 million investment—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: How much?

The Hon. S.G. WADE: It's an $86 million investment—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: —and across those—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. Maher: How can you spend that much and reduce capacity?

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. Maher: This is nothing to brag about.

The PRESIDENT: Order, leader!

The Hon. R.P. Wortley: I would be ashamed.

The PRESIDENT: The opposition has asked a question—

The Hon. R.P. Wortley: I would keep that quiet.

The PRESIDENT: I think it would be a good idea for the Hon. Mr Wortley to listen to the answer.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: So that $86 million investment across three hospitals will see a net increase of 24 beds. At the Flinders Medical Centre—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: I can't hear the minister.

The PRESIDENT: I can hear the Hon. Mr Ridgway, too.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Let's listen to the minister.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: If the opposition doesn't want to give me room to answer the question, I will not even try. As I said—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: As I said, across three hospitals, it's 24.