❓ Mr. Zempilas questions the Minister for Health regarding water testing at Royal Perth Hospital, specifically concerning advice to staff about high-risk patients and the provision of bottled water. The Minister assures that water testing procedures are in place and overseen by the Department of Health.
AnsweredQoN 469Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Hospitals—Water testing
469. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Minister for Health:
I refer to water testing at Royal Perth Hospital.
(1) Is the minister aware that staff in the
emergency department have been advised to prevent high-risk patients, such as
those who are immunocompromised, from utilising sinks for drinking water in the
emergency department?
(2) Is the minister aware that an urgent supply of
water bottles has been arranged for the ED?
(3) Is the minister aware that this situation is
causing concern and distress for staff working in the ED at Royal Perth
Hospital?
469. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Minister for Health:
I refer to water testing at Royal Perth Hospital.
(1) Is the minister aware that staff in the
emergency department have been advised to prevent high-risk patients, such as
those who are immunocompromised, from utilising sinks for drinking water in the
emergency department?
(2) Is the minister aware that an urgent supply of
water bottles has been arranged for the ED?
(3) Is the minister aware that this situation is
causing concern and distress for staff working in the ED at Royal Perth
Hospital?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question.
(1)–(3) As I said in
other opportunities in this place, we have water-testing procedures and
processes in place across our hospital system. These processes are very
important for ensuring that we are testing the water quality and looking for
pathogens that might be of concern.
In relation to the testing that
we have in our hospitals, people will be aware that in recent weeks I have put
in place a new procedure to ensure that those testing regimes that are
undertaken by hospitals and health service providers are reported to the
Department of Health and the Chief Health Officer so that there can be
appropriate oversight of that testing. When concerns are identified by the
Chief Health Officer under the water guidelines, they will be reported to me.
The feedback from the Chief Health Officer is that the testing regimes in our
health services are appropriate for identifying and remediating the concerns
about the water. That is what we would expect our hospitals to do. They are
taking steps to remediate when they have concerns.
for the question.
(1)–(3) As I said in
other opportunities in this place, we have water-testing procedures and
processes in place across our hospital system. These processes are very
important for ensuring that we are testing the water quality and looking for
pathogens that might be of concern.
In relation to the testing that
we have in our hospitals, people will be aware that in recent weeks I have put
in place a new procedure to ensure that those testing regimes that are
undertaken by hospitals and health service providers are reported to the
Department of Health and the Chief Health Officer so that there can be
appropriate oversight of that testing. When concerns are identified by the
Chief Health Officer under the water guidelines, they will be reported to me.
The feedback from the Chief Health Officer is that the testing regimes in our
health services are appropriate for identifying and remediating the concerns
about the water. That is what we would expect our hospitals to do. They are
taking steps to remediate when they have concerns.
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