House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-02-26 Daily Xml

Contents

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Service

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (14:22): Does the Minister for Health consider that it is feasible that the post-traumatic stress service be co-located to the Lyell McEwin Hospital as advocated by the federal Labor member, Nick Champion?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:23): I think it was actually a resolution of the Playford council—from memory, chaired by that great member and stalwart of the Liberal Party Glenn Docherty and candidate for Newland; a great stalwart of the Liberal Party in the northern suburbs, and a very nice fellow, too—and Playford council—

The Hon. J.R. Rau: He met the royals.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: He did meet the royals, yes, and a treat he went down, too; although he was with William and I got to talk to Kate.

The Hon. J.R. Rau: You did, indeed.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: It was in faith the Playford council that first moved a resolution that Ward 17 should move to the northern suburbs. I certainly understand why they would call for that because there is a significant and growing young veterans community in the northern suburbs because of the Edinburgh base there and, of course, the soldiers based at Edinburgh who are returned from service in Afghanistan. I can well understand the case for doing that and I certainly have some sort of sympathy for it.

No, I do not think it is necessarily feasible. I think we would be looking at something somewhat more centrally located but, as I said, we have a process in place. I have enormous faith in Professor Susan Neuhaus. She is a veteran herself. She is the chair of The Repat Foundation and she will lead this work on both the model of care and location of the new Ward 17.