❓ Hospitals—Elective surgery, code yellows, ramping and aged-care beds 360. Mr Basil Zempilas to the Minister for Health: I have a supplementary question. Will elective surgeries be cancelled tomorrow?
AnsweredQoN 360Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Hospitals—Elective surgery, code yellows, ramping
and aged-care beds
360. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Minister for Health:
I have a
supplementary question. Will elective surgeries be cancelled tomorrow?
and aged-care beds
360. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Minister for Health:
I have a
supplementary question. Will elective surgeries be cancelled tomorrow?
AnswerView source ↗
The health
department will continue to monitor the situation very closely. We will monitor
the system closely to make sure that we have the capacity to treat patients
with the most urgent needs first. That is how the system works. It is a really
important part of making sure that we are able to flex up to meet additional
demand when and as it is required. The department is monitoring the situation
closely and will make decisions as and when it needs to.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members, the minister is responding to
the question.
Ms Meredith Hammat: It will make those decisions in
accordance with the demands that are on our system at any one time. I want to
assure the house that this is a normal part of how the health system needs to
respond when it is under increased demand—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Meredith Hammat: —like it did in 2009 when
the Liberals and Nationals were in power and Royal Perth Hospital cancelled all
elective surgeries until further notice.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition!
Ms Meredith Hammat: I am saying that this is what
happens in a health system that is responding to the demands. It also happened
in 2011 when one in 10 elective surgeries—
Ms Sandra Brewer interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Cottesloe!
Ms Meredith Hammat: —were cancelled every day
due to a lack of beds or staff or operating theatres. In 2014, more than 6,000
elective surgeries were cancelled at the last minute due to pressure in
hospitals.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, you have
already asked the question and you have asked your supplementary. If you have
another question, get up and ask it when the opportunity comes around.
Ms Meredith Hammat: There are examples of the system
responding to demand as it needs to, to ensure we treat people with the most
urgent needs first. That is what the system is doing. The Department of Health
is monitoring the situation very closely. We do not want to have to cancel
elective surgery, but if we need to, to meet the demands on the system, we will
have to reschedule so that we have capacity today when we need it.
department will continue to monitor the situation very closely. We will monitor
the system closely to make sure that we have the capacity to treat patients
with the most urgent needs first. That is how the system works. It is a really
important part of making sure that we are able to flex up to meet additional
demand when and as it is required. The department is monitoring the situation
closely and will make decisions as and when it needs to.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members, the minister is responding to
the question.
Ms Meredith Hammat: It will make those decisions in
accordance with the demands that are on our system at any one time. I want to
assure the house that this is a normal part of how the health system needs to
respond when it is under increased demand—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Meredith Hammat: —like it did in 2009 when
the Liberals and Nationals were in power and Royal Perth Hospital cancelled all
elective surgeries until further notice.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition!
Ms Meredith Hammat: I am saying that this is what
happens in a health system that is responding to the demands. It also happened
in 2011 when one in 10 elective surgeries—
Ms Sandra Brewer interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Cottesloe!
Ms Meredith Hammat: —were cancelled every day
due to a lack of beds or staff or operating theatres. In 2014, more than 6,000
elective surgeries were cancelled at the last minute due to pressure in
hospitals.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, you have
already asked the question and you have asked your supplementary. If you have
another question, get up and ask it when the opportunity comes around.
Ms Meredith Hammat: There are examples of the system
responding to demand as it needs to, to ensure we treat people with the most
urgent needs first. That is what the system is doing. The Department of Health
is monitoring the situation very closely. We do not want to have to cancel
elective surgery, but if we need to, to meet the demands on the system, we will
have to reschedule so that we have capacity today when we need it.
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