Legislative Council Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2) 54 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Rural Health Workforce Rural Health Workforce The Hon. E.S. BOURKE Legislative Council Rural Health Workforce The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:28): Supplementary arising from the answer: has the minister— Members interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bourke, you can start again, because I couldn't hear any of that. It will be helpful if your colleagues on the front bench remain quiet, as should the Hon. Mr Ridgway. The Hon. E.S. BOURKE Legislative Council The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Has the minister been advised by the LHN of a critical doctor shortage at the Maitland Hospital? The Hon. S.G. WADE Legislative Council Minister for Health and Wellbeing The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:28): There are issues that our local health networks are managing with hospitals day by day. There is no doubt that there is a significant shortage of rural health professionals. That's why this government is delivering a $20 million four-year program to strengthen and build our rural health workforce. I can assure you that the challenges faced by rural and regional local health networks are substantial, but they are significantly reduced by the progress already being made in the rollout of that $20 million strategy.