Your Say, SA survey show Transforming Health reforms and new RAH will fail us

SOUTH Australians are largely happy with the health system but are deeply sceptical over two fundamental changes now under way — the Transforming Health overhaul and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.

HEALTHY OUTCOME: Katy Panos with daughters Alana, 8, and Felice, 13. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

• YOUR SAY, SA: Complete survey results here
• Transforming Health explained: Why the Government wants it
• First pictures inside the near-complete new RAH

• READ BELOW: Majority support for voluntary euthanasia bill - but...

SOUTH Australians are largely happy with the health system but are deeply sceptical over two fundamental changes now under way — the Transforming Health overhaul and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.

While wanting Rolls-Royce health services, a clear majority say there is “absolutely no way” they will pay more in tax to keep services at existing levels.

More than 86 per cent of respondents said they had prompt access to quality GP care, while 56 per cent said they had good or very good access to hospital care, with another 30 per cent rating their hospital access as “average”.

However, massive changes sweeping through the health system have left the public nervous, with almost two-thirds of respondents saying they don’t believe the $2.3 billion new RAH will be big enough to meet demand.

The public rates the controversial Transforming Health changes as the fourth most-important issue facing the state but the jury is out on whether it will improve the system, with more than 56 per cent saying “maybe” and 34 per cent fearing it will make things worse.

There is little support for paying more for healthcare, with almost 59 per cent not wanting to pay more taxes to keep health services at their current levels.

Despite health costs accounting for more than 30 per cent of the state’s budget and on track to reach 50 per cent in about 15 years, there is little enthusiasm for more hospital closures following the unpopular decision to shut the Repatriation General Hospital.

An overwhelming 90 per cent of respondents oppose any more hospital closures.

Of the minority who favour another closure, the beleaguered Modbury Hospital is the favourite, with 3.7 per cent nominating it.

Typical of those happy with the health system is Katy Panos, of Paradise, whose daughter, Alana, 8, fell ill earlier this month.

They were able to see their local GP almost immediately, who sent Alana straight to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital with suspected appendicitis. She had her appendix removed and was discharged the following day. The procedure came after older sister Felice, 13, had her tonsils out at the WCH with minimal fuss.

“Everyone involved was really good. Alana had them taken out on the Friday morning and was allowed home on the Saturday morning and is now fine,” Ms Panos said.

“We were very happy with the health system.”

The survey also shows there is considerable support for using marijuana for medical purposes, and growing opium for pharmaceutical use — 83 per cent and 76 per cent support, respectively.

Majority support for voluntary euthanasia bill - but ...

By Lauren Novak

LEGALISING voluntary euthanasia is supported by a majority of South Australians with a caveat — most want to limit the option to terminally ill patients.

However, the latest attempt to allow assisted dying in SA was narrowly defeated in Parliament last week.

MPs held a marathon sitting from 7.30pm on Wednesday to 4am on Thursday to debate the Death with Dignity Bill in detail.

Speaker Michael Atkinson cast the deciding vote — against allowing voluntary euthanasia — after the other 46 MPs split evenly on the issue.

The Sunday Mail survey found 55 per cent of respondents support allowing medical assistance for terminally ill patients to die.

A further 32 per cent support voluntary euthanasia under broader circumstances, while 12.3 per cent reject the concept outright.

Advocate Andrew Denton said there was “such strong support” for voluntary euthanasia across the country because “too many people have these stories (of painful deaths) in their own families”.

The legislation defeated last week was the 15th attempt at legalising assisted dying through SA’s Parliament. MPs had raised concerns that the 14th attempt was too broad.

Put by Labor MP Steph Key, that earlier version would have allowed people experiencing “unbearable and hopeless suffering” to request voluntary euthanasia, without a terminal diagnosis.

MPs spent nine months debating that Bill before its proponents conceded it would not pass. Liberal MP Duncan McFetridge then introduced the more stringent version.

Ms Key’s Bill remains on Parliament’s agenda but she is yet to decide if she will attempt to resume debate on it.

However, the long-term campaigner has pledged she is “not going to just give up”.

Premier Jay Weatherill moved to give more time to the issue in Parliament last week to ensure it would not drop off the agenda before the Christmas break.

His grandfather had “begged” a doctor to end his life, Mr Weatherill had previously told Parliament while making an impassioned speech in favour of changing the law.

The Sunday Mail survey also found:

DOMESTIC violence is the second-most concerning law and order issue (17 per cent), after abuse of drugs such as ice (46 per cent).

ALMOST 65 per cent support legalising same-sex marriage.

MORE than 68 per cent support decriminalising prostitution.

A parliamentary committee is scheduled to deliver a report by the end of the year following an inquiry into whether SA should change its laws prohibiting sex work.

MPs last voted on legalising same-sex marriage in July 2013, but the Bill put forward by Labor minister Susan Close was defeated.