Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:06): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Leader of the Government on behalf of the Minister for Health on the subject of transmagnetic stimulation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Earlier today, 185 medical students had their petition tabled to this place. They respectfully put forward to the government of South Australia that they should immediately act to establish a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) unit within our public health system. TMS has consistently and rigorously been proven to provide relief, and in many cases remission, for otherwise treatment-resistant major depression disorder. This treatment has been available privately in South Australia since 2008 but unavailable to public system patients.

Each week that passes without action results in unnecessary suffering amongst our citizens. South Australia has so many healthcare workers who dedicate their careers to helping their patients, and these 185 medical students really are calling on us to ensure that they have the tools and resources that they require to provide appropriate care to South Australians. My question to the minister therefore is:

1. When will the minister publicly commit that South Australia will have in our public health system a TMS service?

2. Will he undertake to prepare a budget submission for the upcoming budget processes, be they Mid-Year Budget Review or next year's regular budget?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for her very thoughtful question, and I will be sure to pass that on to the minister in the other place and bring back a reply for the honourable member.