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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-09-28 Daily Xml
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PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: EASTERN COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE CLINICAL ACCOMMODATION FIT-OUT

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (11:53): I move:

That the 417th report of the committee, on the Eastern Community Mental Health Centre Clinical Accommodation Fit-out, be noted.

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (11:53): I support the Public Works Committee's reporting of this matter to the parliament and welcome this initiative. This is to have purpose-built clinical accommodation at 172 Glynburn Road, Tranmere and will effectively consolidate three current mental health services from College Park, Enfield and Adelaide into one purpose-built facility. The importance of mental health services to the some 10,000 people in South Australia who use mental health services cannot be underestimated.

I note with interest, and am pleased to note, that there will be further reporting to the committee quarterly and also in the event of any substantial change to the nature of the project or evidence given to the committee. The reason this is particularly important is that it is one thing to approve a project, but it is the other second aspect of the responsibility of the Public Works Committee to continue to monitor these projects to ensure that they actually do fulfil the initial threshold and terms of reference as to the scope of the projects.

This is particularly important given that this is a mental health facility, which will clearly have to take up some of the slack as a result of the 42 per cent of the Glenside Hospital campus being sold under a government proposal—a large portion to public housing, which is yet to be sold; a portion to the Chapley group of companies to introduce new retail and supermarket facilities; and, of course, the $2.5 million heart of the hospital, which has already been sold to the Premier's office for his redevelopment of the film hub or now to be called the Adelaide film 'something' (or whatever it is).

In any event, we are to hear more about it as it continues, not only about the $20,000 publicity campaign for the open day just recently but also the $68,000 gala dinner which is to take place on 20 October. In any event, as these projects progress, it is very important that we keep an eye on it. I hope that this will be completed promptly. I look forward to the opening of this service. It is desperately needed in South Australia. Sadly, the continued reduction in mental health beds has meant that services such as this will be even more in demand.

I note that the Minister for Health recently announced that there will be a shortfall. He presented a statement to the parliament that there will be a shortfall and that he will be introducing some extra interim beds for mental health patients. This is going to be a much needed service. The haste at which it could possibly be introduced I would endorse, having now been approved through the Public Works Committee. I thank the committee for its efforts and look forward to ensuring that it is monitored to ensure that we have the services that will be in high demand.

Motion carried.

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