❓ Hon. Stephen Dawson questions the reduction of the Menzies Nursing Post to a three-day-a-week position following a resignation, despite the Shire's offer to provide funding for a full-time nurse. The Minister defends the decision based on low service demand and recruitment difficulties.
AnsweredQoN 536Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MENZIES
NURSING POST
536. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Menzies Nursing Post.
(1) Following
the resignation of a full-time nurse in 2012, why has the department decided to
advertise the position as a three-day-a-week position?
(2) Is the
minister aware that the Shire of Menzies offered to financially partner with WA
Country Health Service to ensure the replacement practitioner worked full time?
(3) If yes to
(2), why has WA Country Health Service refused to enter into an agreement with
the Menzies shire in which the shire would fund the balance of a full-time
practitioner?
(4) Will the
minister ensure that WA Country Health Service enters into an agreement with
the shire so a full-time nurse can be appointed or, at the very least, direct
WACHS to provide the allocated funding direct to the Shire of Menzies so it can
add to the department's funding and appoint a full-time nurse?
NURSING POST
536. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Menzies Nursing Post.
(1) Following
the resignation of a full-time nurse in 2012, why has the department decided to
advertise the position as a three-day-a-week position?
(2) Is the
minister aware that the Shire of Menzies offered to financially partner with WA
Country Health Service to ensure the replacement practitioner worked full time?
(3) If yes to
(2), why has WA Country Health Service refused to enter into an agreement with
the Menzies shire in which the shire would fund the balance of a full-time
practitioner?
(4) Will the
minister ensure that WA Country Health Service enters into an agreement with
the shire so a full-time nurse can be appointed or, at the very least, direct
WACHS to provide the allocated funding direct to the Shire of Menzies so it can
add to the department's funding and appoint a full-time nurse?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The decision
was made after a comprehensive review of the health data over a four-year
period, which included two years when Menzies had a full-time nurse and a
part-time Aboriginal health worker, was examined. This information indicated
that occasions of service provided at Menzies Health Centre were consistently
low, with most OOS being for management of chronic disease. There were relatively
few emergency call-outs and there were no category 1 OOS during this time. With
such a small population and a relatively low health service requirement, it was
determined that a full-time nursing service could not be justified.
(2) Yes.
(3) WA Country
Health Service has not refused to enter into an agreement with the shire. WACHS
goldfields is happy to consider this option. Detailed discussions around how
this arrangement could work would need to take place. Historically, however, it
has been difficult to recruit suitably qualified nurses who are prepared to
live full time in Menzies.
(4) No. A nurse
is currently employed to work three days a week in Menzies and she does not
want to live and work full time in the town. Despite extensive recruitment nationwide
by the department, it has taken over two years to recruit a suitably qualified
nurse for Menzies.
some notice of the question.
(1) The decision
was made after a comprehensive review of the health data over a four-year
period, which included two years when Menzies had a full-time nurse and a
part-time Aboriginal health worker, was examined. This information indicated
that occasions of service provided at Menzies Health Centre were consistently
low, with most OOS being for management of chronic disease. There were relatively
few emergency call-outs and there were no category 1 OOS during this time. With
such a small population and a relatively low health service requirement, it was
determined that a full-time nursing service could not be justified.
(2) Yes.
(3) WA Country
Health Service has not refused to enter into an agreement with the shire. WACHS
goldfields is happy to consider this option. Detailed discussions around how
this arrangement could work would need to take place. Historically, however, it
has been difficult to recruit suitably qualified nurses who are prepared to
live full time in Menzies.
(4) No. A nurse
is currently employed to work three days a week in Menzies and she does not
want to live and work full time in the town. Despite extensive recruitment nationwide
by the department, it has taken over two years to recruit a suitably qualified
nurse for Menzies.
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