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The Hon. D. T. HARWIN: My question is to the Treasurer, representing the Minister for Health. Yesterday the Treasurer was asked a question about the security of staff in public hospitals. Further to that, is the Minister aware that under current security arrangements at Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital only one security guard is on duty at any given time? Is the Minister also aware that one night in August this year police were called to the hospital three times?
In light of the constant danger of needlestick injuries and other potential risks presented by aggressive mentally ill patients or visitors, and given that the chief executive officer of the Illawarra Area Health Service agrees that security at the hospital is underresourced, will the Minister undertake to review security staffing arrangements at Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital immediately?
The Hon. M. R. EGAN: I thank the Hon. D. T. Harwin for his question. I will refer it to the Minister for Health and obtain a response.