House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-09-10 Daily Xml

Contents

MODBURY HOSPITAL

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (16:37): My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Does the government rule out converting the Modbury Hospital paediatric ward and inpatient services into aged rehabilitation services?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (16:38): I don't know why I would rule it out. Of course, that's probably what we'll look at doing. We're not just going to close that ward and leave it empty. I want to make sure those beds are being used where there is greatest need. Indeed, it may well be that we put rehabilitation beds into the Modbury Hospital. We can't do that unless we move those services to the Lyell McEwin Hospital. Far from ruling it out, it's almost certainly what we'll do. What can the opposition rule out? Will they rule out privatising the Modbury Hospital, like they did when they were last in office?

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order—

The SPEAKER: Is the point of order that the Minister for Health is debating the question?

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Yes, sir, it is.

The SPEAKER: I think you are right. Member for Morphett.