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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-05-15 Daily Xml
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Royal Adelaide Hospital

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Is it acceptable for a patient to wait over a week at the Royal Adelaide Hospital for urgent surgery, being told that surgery is imminent and forced to fast every day for an extended period of time? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr TELFER: Mr Stephen Rees from Port Lincoln, after suffering a dislocated ankle and broken leg, was flown to Adelaide by the RFDS and left languishing for nine days, waiting for surgery, isolated from family and friends 700 kilometres from home.

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:52): I am familiar with the case of Mr Rees, who obviously there was some media about in the past few days. I understand he did receive his surgery on 13 May. I understand that it wasn't until the Friday that he was clinically cleared to be able to have that surgery.

Mr Telfer: That's not what he was told.

The Hon. C.J. PICTON: This is what I am being informed by the clinicians at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, that he was not cleared until the Friday to be able to have that surgery. I am advised that the Central Adelaide Local Health Network medical team assessed his situation daily and on Friday determined that the injury was suitable for the surgery to be able to proceed. Obviously, we certainly regret the delay that Mr Rees had in terms of being able to wait for his surgery. I am advised that he was well cared for at the Royal Adelaide Hospital up until that surgery was able to proceed. I understand the surgery was successful and went well, and I wish Mr Rees the best for the future.

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