A parliamentary question regarding reduced podiatry services in the Warren-Blackwood region, specifically concerning the impact on elderly residents and the government's response to service gaps. The response clarifies the situation and outlines interim measures.

AnsweredQoN 767Legislative Council
Asked
1 April 2003
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Warren-Blackwood Health Service. (1) Why has the podiatrist, who covers the areas of Manjimup, Bridgetown, Nannup and Pemberton, had his hours reduced from a full-time position to a part-time service? (2) What methodology was used in defining that 18 hours a week is acceptable for the podiatrist to cover all those towns? (3) The elderly are being informed that diabetics and children will be given priority and that other services are available in Bunbury, Busselton and Collie. What alternative is the Government putting in place for the elderly to overcome the tyranny of distance? Hon KEN TRAVERS

AnswerView source ↗

On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The podiatrist who covered those areas did not have his hours reduced; he relocated with his family to Bunbury. The health service is endeavouring to recruit another full-time podiatrist. Hon Robyn McSweeney interjected. Hon KEN TRAVERS: Does the member want the answer or does she want to prattle on? (2) The intention is to provide a full-time podiatry service to those areas. However, as an interim measure, services are being provided based on the availability of the podiatrist. (3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.
(1) Why has the podiatrist, who covers the areas of Manjimup, Bridgetown, Nannup and Pemberton, had his hours reduced from a full-time position to a part-time service? (2) What methodology was used in defining that 18 hours a week is acceptable for the podiatrist to cover all those towns? (3) The elderly are being informed that diabetics and children will be given priority and that other services are available in Bunbury, Busselton and Collie. What alternative is the Government putting in place for the elderly to overcome the tyranny of distance? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The podiatrist who covered those areas did not have his hours reduced; he relocated with his family to Bunbury. The health service is endeavouring to recruit another full-time podiatrist. Hon Robyn McSweeney interjected. Hon KEN TRAVERS: Does the member want the answer or does she want to prattle on? (2) The intention is to provide a full-time podiatry service to those areas. However, as an interim measure, services are being provided based on the availability of the podiatrist. (3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.
(2) What methodology was used in defining that 18 hours a week is acceptable for the podiatrist to cover all those towns? (3) The elderly are being informed that diabetics and children will be given priority and that other services are available in Bunbury, Busselton and Collie. What alternative is the Government putting in place for the elderly to overcome the tyranny of distance? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The podiatrist who covered those areas did not have his hours reduced; he relocated with his family to Bunbury. The health service is endeavouring to recruit another full-time podiatrist. Hon Robyn McSweeney interjected. Hon KEN TRAVERS: Does the member want the answer or does she want to prattle on? (2) The intention is to provide a full-time podiatry service to those areas. However, as an interim measure, services are being provided based on the availability of the podiatrist. (3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.
(3) The elderly are being informed that diabetics and children will be given priority and that other services are available in Bunbury, Busselton and Collie. What alternative is the Government putting in place for the elderly to overcome the tyranny of distance? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The podiatrist who covered those areas did not have his hours reduced; he relocated with his family to Bunbury. The health service is endeavouring to recruit another full-time podiatrist. Hon Robyn McSweeney interjected. Hon KEN TRAVERS: Does the member want the answer or does she want to prattle on? (2) The intention is to provide a full-time podiatry service to those areas. However, as an interim measure, services are being provided based on the availability of the podiatrist. (3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The podiatrist who covered those areas did not have his hours reduced; he relocated with his family to Bunbury. The health service is endeavouring to recruit another full-time podiatrist. Hon Robyn McSweeney interjected. Hon KEN TRAVERS: Does the member want the answer or does she want to prattle on? (2) The intention is to provide a full-time podiatry service to those areas. However, as an interim measure, services are being provided based on the availability of the podiatrist. (3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.
On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The podiatrist who covered those areas did not have his hours reduced; he relocated with his family to Bunbury. The health service is endeavouring to recruit another full-time podiatrist. Hon Robyn McSweeney interjected. Hon KEN TRAVERS: Does the member want the answer or does she want to prattle on? (2) The intention is to provide a full-time podiatry service to those areas. However, as an interim measure, services are being provided based on the availability of the podiatrist. (3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.
(1) The podiatrist who covered those areas did not have his hours reduced; he relocated with his family to Bunbury. The health service is endeavouring to recruit another full-time podiatrist. Hon Robyn McSweeney interjected. Hon KEN TRAVERS: Does the member want the answer or does she want to prattle on? (2) The intention is to provide a full-time podiatry service to those areas. However, as an interim measure, services are being provided based on the availability of the podiatrist. (3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.
Hon Robyn McSweeney interjected. Hon KEN TRAVERS: Does the member want the answer or does she want to prattle on? (2) The intention is to provide a full-time podiatry service to those areas. However, as an interim measure, services are being provided based on the availability of the podiatrist. (3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.
Hon KEN TRAVERS: Does the member want the answer or does she want to prattle on? (2) The intention is to provide a full-time podiatry service to those areas. However, as an interim measure, services are being provided based on the availability of the podiatrist. (3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.
(2) The intention is to provide a full-time podiatry service to those areas. However, as an interim measure, services are being provided based on the availability of the podiatrist. (3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.
(3) The health service is investigating with other agencies alternative initiatives to provide nail care clinics for the elderly who require this service.

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