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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-09-29 Daily Xml
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HEALTH SYSTEM

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (15:11): On Thursday 15 September, some of you may have noticed that I was absent. Unfortunately, I was admitted to Flinders Medical Centre after having a severe allergic reaction to penicillin. My body swelled up to an alarming size and I looked like I had extreme sunburn. My skin blistered and I shed much of my skin on all of my body. My heart was tachy and I experienced alarming problems with my liver. At times over the past two weeks, I have been very unwell and very worried.

It had been some 25 years since I had been admitted to Flinders, when I had lifesaving surgery to remove my spleen after a car accident. My recent admission gave me an opportunity to see our much-maligned public health system up close, and I would like to share that experience. When I presented at the emergency department, it was very busy and efficient but not very inviting due to the upgrade construction work. Unfortunately, any construction work creates a less than ideal environment for staff and patients, and I acknowledge the tolerance of those affected. I simply cannot understand the policy of those opposite to rebuild the RAH around a working hospital.

After short wait, I was examined by emergency department staff, enabling medical staff to assess how quickly I needed to be seen by doctors and receive treatment. There was a wait before I received a thorough examination, during which time I was advised I would need to be admitted, and staff proceeded to organise it.

Was this process utterly seamless and perfect? No, but it was efficient and orderly, and I did receive the expert medical attention suited to the severity of my condition. The professionalism and expertise of the medical team was fantastic, and I wish to thank staff in emergency, the extended care unit, 6A ward, and the doctors from dermatology for their hard work and excellent care. I also wish to acknowledge the wonderful cleaning and catering staff for the great job they do, and I make special mention of the unsung heroes, the volunteers, who provide vital assistance to hospitals and patients.

During my five-day stay, there were times of peak demand during which every hand was needed on deck, and the system was stretched to accommodate this. System blockages are also apparent. For example, I was in a four-patient ward and one elderly gentleman was waiting to be moved to a rehabilitation facility, but there were no beds available. This reflects the genuine challenges facing our public health system, including an ageing population, the increasing burden of chronic disease, access to affordable GPs, a skills shortage in medical and nursing staff, ageing infrastructure, and the inefficiency of duplicated services.

That is why the government has committed, through its health plan, to upgrade Flinders and the Lyell McEwen and to build a new RAH. These will be our primary hospitals, with the QEH, Modbury and Noarlunga having an emphasis on rehabilitation, aged and palliative care, as well as general and elective surgery. In particular, the $163 million Flinders redevelopment, including the upgrade of the emergency department, will be completed by the end of next year.

Back in October 2010 and again today in question time, the Hon. John Hill made it very clear that some delays would be expected during this upgrade, but it is vital. Our emergency departments are also under pressure from the large number of people who do not need to be there. Coughs, colds, cuts and scrapes, and minor drug and alcohol-related injuries and illness, all impact on our emergency departments when these issues can often be treated elsewhere. We should encourage people to go to emergency when there is an emergency, and ensure people know how to access other services in their areas.

The 1800 022 222 is a free 24-hour telephone help advice line staffed by registered nurses to provide expert health advice. The line also provides access to GPs after hours if necessary. GPs who bulk-bill and numbers for locum services which provide after-hours home visits should be promoted, and all MPs should be getting this information out to their communities. After my experience I am grateful for the excellent care I received from our public health system and I am thankful to be on the road to recovery. I encourage everyone in this place to get behind our public hospitals and to support our health plan to ensure quality public health services into the future.

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