❓ Question regarding a non-operational dialysis machine at Jigalong and its omission from a previous list. The Minister clarifies the machine was part of a private partnership, not directly funded by the Department of Health.
AnsweredQoN 1524Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice No. 1300 asked on 17 June 2014, and I ask: (a) why was the dialysis machine at Jigalong not included in the list; (b) why is the dialysis machine at Jigalong not operational; (c) is there nursing staff at Jigalong capable and/or available to operate the unit; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) is the provision of electrical power to the machine capable of maintaining a safe, uninterrupted power level to the machine if it were to operate; (f) if no to (e), why not; (g) was the provision of available trained nursing staff considered prior to the placement of the machine at Jigalong; (h) if no to (g), why not; (i) was the provision of a secure power source for the machine considered prior to the placement of the machine at Jigalong; (j) if no to (i), why not; (k) are there plans to make the dialysis machine operational at Jigalong; (l) if yes to (k), when will it be made operational; (m) if yes to (k), what will be required to make it operational; (n) what is the annual cost of transferring patients to dialysis machines at alternative locations; (o) where are those alternative facilities or machines located; (p) were there any other dialysis machines not listed in the answer to question on notice No. 1300; (q) if yes to (p), how many, and at what locations; (r) will the Minister apologise for not having included the Jigalong facility in question on notice No. 1300; and (s) if no to (r), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2014
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
35 days
(a) Legislative Council question on notice 1300 provided information on dialysis machines in Western Australia (WA) funded and/or contracted by the Department of Health. Private dialysis services and home dialysis machines were not included.
The Respite Dialysis Unit at Jigalong was a joint partnership between Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS) and Newcrest Mining. The unit was not commissioned, funded, contracted or operated by the Department of Health.
(b-m) Not applicable.
(n) The annual cost of transferring patients to treatment at dialysis machines at alternative locations fluctuates according to demand, location and availability of dialysis machines. The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) provides travel and accommodation subsidies to eligible country patients, and where eligible, to an escort, needing to travel more than 70 kilometres one way to access dialysis treatment.
Travel assistance is $20 fuel subsidy for road travel and fully funded commercial flight for people travelling more than 350 kilometres. The accommodation subsidy is for a maximum of six (6) months and ranges from $20 per night to $75 per night dependent on type of accommodation and whether accompanied by an escort.
There are currently 58 patients from WA country regions receiving dialysis in the metropolitan area. It is estimated this number will decrease by 20 patients as additional approved satellite dialysis places come on stream in the Kimberley and the Pilbara over the coming months.
(o) Please refer to answer provided for Legislative Council question on notice 1300. WACHS cannot comment on private dialysis services and home dialysis machines.
(p) Yes.
(q) There are two machines based at Royal Perth Hospital that are rotated for maintenance.
(r) The answer to the question was correct.
(s) Not applicable.
The Respite Dialysis Unit at Jigalong was a joint partnership between Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS) and Newcrest Mining. The unit was not commissioned, funded, contracted or operated by the Department of Health.
(b-m) Not applicable.
(n) The annual cost of transferring patients to treatment at dialysis machines at alternative locations fluctuates according to demand, location and availability of dialysis machines. The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) provides travel and accommodation subsidies to eligible country patients, and where eligible, to an escort, needing to travel more than 70 kilometres one way to access dialysis treatment.
Travel assistance is $20 fuel subsidy for road travel and fully funded commercial flight for people travelling more than 350 kilometres. The accommodation subsidy is for a maximum of six (6) months and ranges from $20 per night to $75 per night dependent on type of accommodation and whether accompanied by an escort.
There are currently 58 patients from WA country regions receiving dialysis in the metropolitan area. It is estimated this number will decrease by 20 patients as additional approved satellite dialysis places come on stream in the Kimberley and the Pilbara over the coming months.
(o) Please refer to answer provided for Legislative Council question on notice 1300. WACHS cannot comment on private dialysis services and home dialysis machines.
(p) Yes.
(q) There are two machines based at Royal Perth Hospital that are rotated for maintenance.
(r) The answer to the question was correct.
(s) Not applicable.
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