Strathalbyn and District Health Service

In reply to the Hon. S.L. GAME ().18 October 2022).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has been advised:

As the member is aware, many regional EDs were closed by the former liberal government. Unfortunately, the Malinauskas Labor government has inherited several EDs that have remained closed since that time, which includes Strathalbyn.

The government remains committed to addressing the workforce challenges faced in re-establishing services in Strathalbyn, including working with the federal government to address system-wide issues that can prove a significant barrier for local GPs to provide on-call services to the emergency department.

The Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network is establishing a working group to assess what emergency services are needed to meet the growing demands in the Strathalbyn community and nearby regions, review similar models of care and provide recommendations to the local health network for consideration. The working group will include local GPs, SA Ambulance Service and members of the Strathalbyn community, and is scheduled to meet for the first time this month.