❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding colonoscopy waiting times in public and privately-operated hospitals treating public patients. The response provides data on waiting times, reasons for delays, and government initiatives to address the issue.
AnsweredQoN 8517Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to colonoscopies in all public hospitals, and privately-operated hospitals treating public patients (Peel Health Campus and Joondalup Health Campus), and ask:
(a) what is the current average waiting time for category 1 patients requiring a colonoscopy, listed by hospital;
(b) what is the current average waiting time for category 2 patients requiring a colonoscopy, listed by hospital;
(c) what is the current average waiting time for category 3 patients requiring a colonoscopy, listed by hospital;
(d) what percentage of public patients receive their colonoscopy within the clinically recommended time-frame;
(e) what is the longest time any public patient has waited for a colonoscopy;
(f) how many public patients are currently on the waiting list for a colonoscopy;
(g) what are the reasons for the blow-outs in waiting times;
(h) what is the Government doing to ensure colonoscopies are undertaken within clinically recommended time-frames; and
(i) is the Government going to be able to cater for the increased number of screenings under the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program?
(a) what is the current average waiting time for category 1 patients requiring a colonoscopy, listed by hospital;
(b) what is the current average waiting time for category 2 patients requiring a colonoscopy, listed by hospital;
(c) what is the current average waiting time for category 3 patients requiring a colonoscopy, listed by hospital;
(d) what percentage of public patients receive their colonoscopy within the clinically recommended time-frame;
(e) what is the longest time any public patient has waited for a colonoscopy;
(f) how many public patients are currently on the waiting list for a colonoscopy;
(g) what are the reasons for the blow-outs in waiting times;
(h) what is the Government doing to ensure colonoscopies are undertaken within clinically recommended time-frames; and
(i) is the Government going to be able to cater for the increased number of screenings under the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 September 2012
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
26 days
(a - c) [See tabled paper no]
(d) In the financial year 2011-12, 76 percent of public patients receive their colonoscopy within the clinically recommended timeframe.
(e) In the financial year 2011-12 the longest time that nine public patients waited for a colonoscopy was 900 to 1020 days.
(f) As at 12 August 2012, there are 8,019 public patients currently on the waiting list for a colonoscopy.
(g) The reasons for the increase in waiting times can partly be attributed to the 'ripple' effect of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program on individuals whom have a family member/partner who has undergone a Faecal Blood Test (FOBT) also undertaking the FOBT. In addition successful education campaigns from the Cancer Council, Rotary Clubs and Pharmacies which offer Bowel Screening kits at a very affordable price. An effect of these education campaigns has been an increase in public awareness of bowel cancer and therefore the increased demand for colonoscopies as a diagnostic aid.
(h) The DOH has commenced the employment process of two gastroenterologists to work across RPH, SCGH and FHHS sites. Provided $400,000 for endoscopy unit equipment upgrades in regional hospitals (Bunbury; Busselton; Broome; Port Hedland; Geraldton; Albany; Northam) in 2008, to support the implementation of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in rural WA. Provided $60,000 for endoscopy simulator training through Clinical Training and Evaluation Centre (CTEC) based at University of WA since 2009, to support a sustainable workforce.
(i) Currently, colonoscopies generated as a result of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program account for less than 5 per cent of all colonoscopies in Australia. There has been a 6 per cent increase in admissions from 2009-10 to 2010-11 resulting in 20,502 cases being admitted for colonoscopy.
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(d) In the financial year 2011-12, 76 percent of public patients receive their colonoscopy within the clinically recommended timeframe.
(e) In the financial year 2011-12 the longest time that nine public patients waited for a colonoscopy was 900 to 1020 days.
(f) As at 12 August 2012, there are 8,019 public patients currently on the waiting list for a colonoscopy.
(g) The reasons for the increase in waiting times can partly be attributed to the 'ripple' effect of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program on individuals whom have a family member/partner who has undergone a Faecal Blood Test (FOBT) also undertaking the FOBT. In addition successful education campaigns from the Cancer Council, Rotary Clubs and Pharmacies which offer Bowel Screening kits at a very affordable price. An effect of these education campaigns has been an increase in public awareness of bowel cancer and therefore the increased demand for colonoscopies as a diagnostic aid.
(h) The DOH has commenced the employment process of two gastroenterologists to work across RPH, SCGH and FHHS sites. Provided $400,000 for endoscopy unit equipment upgrades in regional hospitals (Bunbury; Busselton; Broome; Port Hedland; Geraldton; Albany; Northam) in 2008, to support the implementation of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in rural WA. Provided $60,000 for endoscopy simulator training through Clinical Training and Evaluation Centre (CTEC) based at University of WA since 2009, to support a sustainable workforce.
(i) Currently, colonoscopies generated as a result of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program account for less than 5 per cent of all colonoscopies in Australia. There has been a 6 per cent increase in admissions from 2009-10 to 2010-11 resulting in 20,502 cases being admitted for colonoscopy.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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