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| Sandra Kanck Deputy Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
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Legislative
Council |
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| Sandra Kanck Deputy Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
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The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Planning, representing the Minister for Human Services, a question about the Barossa Health Services.
Leave granted.
The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: A review of the Barossa Health Services was commissioned by the Health Commission and completed by KPMG in April 1995. At that time serious issues were raised about the state of the Angaston and Tanunda hospitals, which still await action. The Barossa Health Services has two locations: Angaston and Tanunda. The Angaston site consists of nine buildings situated on a hillside, with a 20 metre height difference between the operating theatres and the wards. Nurses are forced to wheel the patients up and down this slope.
In case of an emergency, patients would have to be transferred to barouches, as only one exit can accommodate ward beds. The passages have lino peeling off the walls. The kitchens do not meet either local council or Health Commission standards. Having two campuses creates a great deal of doubling up of resources, facilities and staff. The Barossa is a growing region, perhaps the fastest growing in South Australia, with a projected population increase of 8 per cent in the next five years and a consequent need for infrastructure funding.
Almost 12 months ago on 11 November the minister announced a new site at Nuriootpa for the Barossa Health Services but, to this day, the funding to actually build the hospital has not been forthcoming. My questions to the minister are:
1. When will the urgently needed funds for the new building be forthcoming?
2. What emergency funding is being provided to maintain the run-down sites at Angaston and Tanunda?
3. Will the Barossa Health Services be yet another of the health services in this state that are to be subject to rolling re-announcement by media release?
In reply to Hon. SANDRA KANCK
The Hon. DIANA LAIDLAW: The Minister for Human Services has provided the following information:
1. Funding for a new hospital facility for the Barossa Valley is not included in the current formal capital forward program for the years 2001-02 and 2002-03. A new Barossa Valley facility will need to be considered against other priorities when forward capital planning is being developed. Land for the proposed hospital has been identified and is being purchased.
2. An assessment of Angaston and Tanunda hospitals will be undertaken to determine the requirements to sustain the assets in the short term.
3. An announcement on a new facility for the Barossa Valley Health Services Inc. will only be made when it is confirmed that funding will be available.
