Mr L'Estrange questions the Premier about hospital resourcing amidst increased demand, suggesting cost-cutting measures may be impacting service delivery. The Premier defends the government's increased hospital budget and advises the public on managing influenza at home.

AnsweredQoN 495Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 June 2019
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

HEALTH
— HOSPITAL BEDS
495. Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. We
are not politicising deaths in hospitals; we are talking about resourcing. Is
the Premier forcing our state health service providers to cut costs and hold
back resources or will he provide additional resources to cope with this sudden
increase in demand at our hospitals?

AnswerView source ↗

Under this government, the
resourcing of hospitals has increased and the hospital budget across Western Australia
is going up by between 2.8 and three per cent per annum. As I said to the
member a moment ago, 15 per cent of people with influenza need to be admitted
to hospital; the rest are triaged and discharged. As I heard yesterday from a senior doctor, most people visit their GP or
a doctor in the community to get whatever assistance they need and then
they take themselves home. Most people are managing themselves well in their
houses and communities. Yesterday I advised people who are suffering from
influenza to please stay at home until they are better and to please ensure
that their children stay at home from school until they are better. That is the
best advice I can provide. I urge everyone to have the respect that the people
in our hospitals who are coping with this difficult situation deserve.

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