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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-05-04 Daily Xml
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Women's and Children's Hospital

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:41): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney, representing the Minister for Health in the other place, a question about the Women's and Children's Hospital.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: South Australia remains the only mainland state in Australia without a paediatric cardiac surgery unit. Currently, we know there are about 100 sick babies and children who are flown to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne for their life-saving heart surgery at a cost of about $6 million a year. It has been revealed that some babies and young children have died, tragically, due to the Women's and Children's Hospital not being able to perform that cardiac surgery here in SA.

Seasoned clinicians from the hospital have told us heart surgery and acute cardiopulmonary treatment can safely and efficiently be performed at the hospital. We are advised that the initial capital expenditure—the maintenance cost for the service at the Women's and Children's Hospital, compared to interstate, would save taxpayers about $5 million per year, not to mention removing the massive inconvenience of the sick child and their family having to travel interstate.

The former Liberal government was heavily criticised for refusing to establish such a unit in South Australia, despite having philanthropists committed to funding its establishment. My questions to the minister are:

1. Given its position in opposition, is the new Labor government considering setting up a paediatric cardiac surgery unit here at the Women's and Children's Hospital?

2. If not, why the change of heart?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for her questions and her interest in this area. They are indeed important questions, and I will refer them to my colleague in another place and bring back a reply.

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