❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding doctor availability and staffing levels at Northam, Merredin, Narrogin, and Katanning hospitals between July 2019 and March 2020. The response details instances of doctor unavailability, reasons for it, patient presentations during those times, and strategies to address the issue.
AnsweredQoN 2871Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the Northam, Merredin, Narrogin
and Katanning hospitals, and I ask: (a) on how many occasions from 1 July 2019 to
present, at each hospital, has a doctor not been rostered; (b) with respect to (a), what was the reason for the
unavailability of a doctor for each occasion; (c) with respect to (a), on each occasion a doctor
was not available to be rostered, how many ATS 1, 2 or 3 patients presented to
each hospital, during each period; (d) what strategy has the WA Country Health Service
put in place to avoid situations when a doctor is not available to be rostered; (e) on how many occasions in the last 12 months at
each hospital, has a doctor been rostered but unable to be contacted, or unable
to respond; (f) with respect to (e), on each occasion a doctor
was not available to respond when rostered, how many ATS 1, 2 or 3 patients
presented to each hospital during each period; and (g) how many salaried Doctors are employed by each
hospital?
and Katanning hospitals, and I ask: (a) on how many occasions from 1 July 2019 to
present, at each hospital, has a doctor not been rostered; (b) with respect to (a), what was the reason for the
unavailability of a doctor for each occasion; (c) with respect to (a), on each occasion a doctor
was not available to be rostered, how many ATS 1, 2 or 3 patients presented to
each hospital, during each period; (d) what strategy has the WA Country Health Service
put in place to avoid situations when a doctor is not available to be rostered; (e) on how many occasions in the last 12 months at
each hospital, has a doctor been rostered but unable to be contacted, or unable
to respond; (f) with respect to (e), on each occasion a doctor
was not available to respond when rostered, how many ATS 1, 2 or 3 patients
presented to each hospital during each period; and (g) how many salaried Doctors are employed by each
hospital?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 May 2020
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
14 days
I am advised:
(a) Occasions from 1 July 2019 to 30 March 2020 where there was no doctor available to be rostered or rostered on call, for a 12 hour shift, in the Emergency Department (ED) are as follows:
Site
Number of occasions
Northam
0
Merredin
7
Narrogin
18
Katanning
24*
*periods of 24 hrs where no on-call GP roster have been counted as 2 x 12 hr shifts
(b) The reasons for doctor unavailability to be rostered or rostered on call include:
(c)
ATS 1
ATS 2
ATS 3
Northam
0
0
0
Merredin
0
5
9
Narrogin
3
25
65
Katanning
0
6
41
Note: These figures include presentations when local GP advised that they would be available to attend ATS 1 and 2 presentations, although not rostered for full on-call.
(d) Northam, Merredin, Narrogin and Katanning Hospitals have 24 hour seven day access to the Emergency Telehealth Service (ETS). In addition, the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) has the following strategies:
Further strategies to ensure a sustainable medical workforce model include potential collaborations with neighbouring regions and regionwide telehealth models to support existing staff.
(e) Nil.
(f) Not applicable.
(g)
Site
Number of Salaried Doctors employed at each Hospital
Northam
1.15 Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
Merredin
0.3 FTE
Narrogin
2.0 FTE
Katanning
0 FTE
(a) Occasions from 1 July 2019 to 30 March 2020 where there was no doctor available to be rostered or rostered on call, for a 12 hour shift, in the Emergency Department (ED) are as follows:
Site
Number of occasions
Northam
0
Merredin
7
Narrogin
18
Katanning
24*
*periods of 24 hrs where no on-call GP roster have been counted as 2 x 12 hr shifts
(b) The reasons for doctor unavailability to be rostered or rostered on call include:
(c)
ATS 1
ATS 2
ATS 3
Northam
0
0
0
Merredin
0
5
9
Narrogin
3
25
65
Katanning
0
6
41
Note: These figures include presentations when local GP advised that they would be available to attend ATS 1 and 2 presentations, although not rostered for full on-call.
(d) Northam, Merredin, Narrogin and Katanning Hospitals have 24 hour seven day access to the Emergency Telehealth Service (ETS). In addition, the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) has the following strategies:
Further strategies to ensure a sustainable medical workforce model include potential collaborations with neighbouring regions and regionwide telehealth models to support existing staff.
(e) Nil.
(f) Not applicable.
(g)
Site
Number of Salaried Doctors employed at each Hospital
Northam
1.15 Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
Merredin
0.3 FTE
Narrogin
2.0 FTE
Katanning
0 FTE
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