Electronic Patient Record System

The Hon. S.L. GAME (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health, regarding SA Health's statewide electronic patient record system.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: Last Tuesday, The Advertiser reported that internal emergencies were declared in South Australian hospitals due to the failure of SA Health's statewide electronic patient record system. It is yet again another example of the flawed system crashing. Hospitals were placed on Code Yellow, triggering internal emergency procedures as technicians worked to resolve the problem with the record system known as Sunrise. Clinicians were unable to quickly check vital details as patients arrived, including allergies to past medications, while the electronic patient record system was down. My questions to the Attorney-General are:

1. Is the Sunrise system fit for purpose?

2. Were the lives of patients placed at risk during last Tuesday's system crash?

3. What has been the cost of the ongoing resolution of faults with the Sunrise system since it effectively replaced the EPAS electronic patient record system?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:17): I thank the honourable member for her questions, and I will forward those to the minister responsible in another place and bring back a reply for the honourable member.