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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-06-19 Daily Xml
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Stroke Service

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:39): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding the Royal Adelaide Hospital stroke unit.

Leave granted.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: The front page of The Advertiser reports today that the Royal Adelaide Hospital stroke unit is once again in crisis, as two senior specialists go on leave at the same time, leaving the service run by a junior doctor. My questions to the minister are:

1. When was the minister first advised that the stroke unit was being left without leadership?

2. What immediate action did the minister take?

3. Will the minister cancel the leave of one of the specialists?

4. What measures have been put in place to ensure procedures can go ahead and patients remain safe?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:39): Through you, Mr President, I thank the honourable member for her question. As she indicated, there have been public reports that two INR specialists will have upcoming leave at the same time. Interventional neuroradiologist cover will continue to be provided at the RAH, with a full-time, credentialled INR specialist available during the period of overlap of upcoming leave. I am advised that that leave overlap is between 1 July and 10 July. During part of this overlap period additional support will be available, if needed, at Flinders Medical Centre from a credentialled INR specialist.

A more robust policy regarding leave approval and roster management was introduced early this year; however, on this occasion it was not followed correctly. As minister, I am very disappointed that that has occurred. A new campus clinical head has been appointed and will be commencing on 16 July. The first task for the clinical head will be to better manage the coordination of annual leave amongst clinical staff.

I should note that this eventuality is different from the situation in April 2017 in that there will be a full-time, credentialled INR cover at the RAH during the period of leave overlap. As I said, I am very disappointed about this situation. I have asked for a formal briefing. I have asked SA Health to identify whether either of the specialists on leave during the leave period can reduce their leave. In relation to when I was first advised, I think I became aware late yesterday afternoon as the department was responding to a journalist who was the journalist who wrote this morning's report.

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