❓ Mr. Birney raises concerns about orthopaedic service availability at Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital, questioning referral processes, surgeon availability, and resource allocation. The Minister responds with plans for a replacement service by February 2008 and details existing service arrangements.
AnsweredQoN 2961Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(a) can the Minister advise how long a timeframe in months will patients requiring orthopaedic surgery from the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital, be required to seek medical referrals and also have surgery undertaken in Perth; and
(i) if no to (a), why not;
(b) will the Minister ensure that another orthopaedic surgeon is appointed urgently to the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital to ensure that goldfields residents do not have to travel long distances to Perth for medical referrals and surgery; and
(i) if no to (b), why not;
(c) to ensure the quality and availability of orthopaedic services for patients, will the Minister allocate the financial resources to ensure that a newly appointed orthopedic surgeon to the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital is available seven days a week and on 24-hour call if required; and
(i) if no to (c), why not;
(d) for the last four years can the Minister advise how many patients were treated for orthopaedic surgery in each of the respective months from January to December at the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital; and
(i) if no to (d), why not?
(i) if no to (a), why not;
(b) will the Minister ensure that another orthopaedic surgeon is appointed urgently to the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital to ensure that goldfields residents do not have to travel long distances to Perth for medical referrals and surgery; and
(i) if no to (b), why not;
(c) to ensure the quality and availability of orthopaedic services for patients, will the Minister allocate the financial resources to ensure that a newly appointed orthopedic surgeon to the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital is available seven days a week and on 24-hour call if required; and
(i) if no to (c), why not;
(d) for the last four years can the Minister advise how many patients were treated for orthopaedic surgery in each of the respective months from January to December at the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital; and
(i) if no to (d), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
31 January 2008
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
63 days
(a) and (b) It is anticipated that a replacement elective orthopaedic service will be in place by February 2008.
Note: As per usual practice, many acute orthopaedic cases will continue to be dealt with by the general surgeons at Kalgoorlie Hospital, and provision of emergency services is described in question (c).
(i) Not applicable.
(c) Kalgoorlie Hospital uses one visiting orthopaedic surgeon who provides services on a contract for service basis as a Visiting Medical Practitioner (VMP). This service has been consistently provided for a number of years. WACHS - Goldfields is in the process of attracting a private contractor to Kalgoorlie, with public orthopaedic services contracted through the usual Medical Service Agreement.
Orthopaedic care will continue to be provided by general surgeons. Out of hours emergency cases will continue to be dealt with as per usual arrangements using emergency department doctors, general surgeons and general practitioners or by admitting the patient for review the following day by the surgeon.
(i) As above.
(d) See attached document
[tabled paper ________]
.
(i) Not applicable.
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Note: As per usual practice, many acute orthopaedic cases will continue to be dealt with by the general surgeons at Kalgoorlie Hospital, and provision of emergency services is described in question (c).
(i) Not applicable.
(c) Kalgoorlie Hospital uses one visiting orthopaedic surgeon who provides services on a contract for service basis as a Visiting Medical Practitioner (VMP). This service has been consistently provided for a number of years. WACHS - Goldfields is in the process of attracting a private contractor to Kalgoorlie, with public orthopaedic services contracted through the usual Medical Service Agreement.
Orthopaedic care will continue to be provided by general surgeons. Out of hours emergency cases will continue to be dealt with as per usual arrangements using emergency department doctors, general surgeons and general practitioners or by admitting the patient for review the following day by the surgeon.
(i) As above.
(d) See attached document
[tabled paper ________]
.
(i) Not applicable.
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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