Mr McClelland asked the Minister for Health and Family Services, upon notice, on 2 May 1996:

(1) Has his attention been drawn to the opening, in November 1995, of a large private hospital adjacent to the St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, after the latter was substantially upgraded.

(2) Is it a fact that many general practitioners and specialists practice in Kogarah and the district is one of the largest medical centres in metropolitan Sydney.

(3) Will he request Medicare and Medibank Private to establish an office in Kogarah.

Dr Wooldridge —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) I am aware that the hospital is open and operational. The New South Wales Health Department issued a private hospital licence for the St George Private Medical Complex, South Street, Kogarah effective from 1 November 1995.

(2) The district covered by the Kogarah postcode is the eighth largest district in metropolitan Sydney in terms of the number of doctors. The 1994-95 analysis of Medicare data showed that two hundred (200) doctors had their principal practice in the Kogarah postcode region.

(3) No, the establishment of a Medicare Customer Service Centre is determined by the Health Insurance Commission according to strict guidelines. Such decisions are made independently of the Government.