WA Parliament Question on Notice regarding the location, type, and staffing of additional hospital beds announced by the State Government in response to a potential COVID-19 outbreak. The government provides details on bed locations, types, and recruitment efforts.

AnsweredQoN 467Legislative Council
Asked
15 December 2021
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the State Government's media release of 23 November 2021
titled “Four sites confirmed for new inpatient modular hospital beds”, and
I ask: (a) how were the four sites that are to receive the modular hospital beds
identified as the priority; (b) has the Government identified where the remaining 150 beds from the
Government's additional 270 beds announced in November 2021 are to be located; (c) will the remaining 150 beds be modular beds; and (d) how does the Government intend to staff the increase in beds at these
sites, given that most hospitals are currently experiencing severe staff
shortages?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
22 February 2022
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Health
Response time
5 days
(a)    These hospitals have been identified as they will ensure state-wide support in the event of a significant COVID-19 outbreak in Western Australia.
(b)  Yes. The remaining beds will be located at Royal Perth Hospital, Bentley Hospital, Fremantle Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth Children's Hospital, Hollywood Hospital and South Perth Hospital.
(c)   No, they are a combination of general beds and ICU beds.
(d)  The additional 270 beds will be supported by 410 extra nurses and more than 180 extra doctors working in our hospitals. As at 1 February 2022, 400 graduate doctors joined the WA health system with a further eight due to start soon. At the same timeframe, 50 overseas-trained doctors have commenced work in the system. An additional 1,200 graduate nurses are expected to be employed in 2022. A $2 million local, national and international advertising campaign is underway to recruit more healthcare staff.

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