A parliamentary question regarding the decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse instead of the current Busselton site, despite public support for the latter. The Minister defends the decision based on the Vasse site's ability to accommodate a broader range of health services.

AnsweredQoN 52Legislative Council
Asked
20 February 2008
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

BUSSELTON HOSPITAL
In relation to the Busselton District Hospital siting debate, about which more than 70 per cent of voters polled indicated support for the current location at the Busselton town, I ask — (1) Has the minister commenced a review of the siting decision with the aim of reflecting the will of the community? (2) If no, when will he commence such a review? (3) How many consultant reports have been commissioned by the Department of Health in relation to the siting and development of the hospital? (4) Of those reports, which ones have, overall, ranked the Vasse site above the current Busselton District Hospital site? (5) Of the reports identified in (3), which ones have, overall, ranked the Busselton hospital site above the Vasse site? (6) Given the answer to (4) is none, how is this consistent with the minister’s decision to persist with the Vasse site? Hon SUE ELLERY

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(6) The decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse was based on the ability of that site to accommodate all health services, including residential aged care, private medical facilities and the hospital at one site. This could not be achieved at the existing hospital site. While public opinion is important, it is only one factor to be considered in determining the best health outcomes for the community. (3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.
(1) Has the minister commenced a review of the siting decision with the aim of reflecting the will of the community? (2) If no, when will he commence such a review? (3) How many consultant reports have been commissioned by the Department of Health in relation to the siting and development of the hospital? (4) Of those reports, which ones have, overall, ranked the Vasse site above the current Busselton District Hospital site? (5) Of the reports identified in (3), which ones have, overall, ranked the Busselton hospital site above the Vasse site? (6) Given the answer to (4) is none, how is this consistent with the minister’s decision to persist with the Vasse site? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(6) The decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse was based on the ability of that site to accommodate all health services, including residential aged care, private medical facilities and the hospital at one site. This could not be achieved at the existing hospital site. While public opinion is important, it is only one factor to be considered in determining the best health outcomes for the community. (3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.
(2) If no, when will he commence such a review? (3) How many consultant reports have been commissioned by the Department of Health in relation to the siting and development of the hospital? (4) Of those reports, which ones have, overall, ranked the Vasse site above the current Busselton District Hospital site? (5) Of the reports identified in (3), which ones have, overall, ranked the Busselton hospital site above the Vasse site? (6) Given the answer to (4) is none, how is this consistent with the minister’s decision to persist with the Vasse site? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(6) The decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse was based on the ability of that site to accommodate all health services, including residential aged care, private medical facilities and the hospital at one site. This could not be achieved at the existing hospital site. While public opinion is important, it is only one factor to be considered in determining the best health outcomes for the community. (3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.
(3) How many consultant reports have been commissioned by the Department of Health in relation to the siting and development of the hospital? (4) Of those reports, which ones have, overall, ranked the Vasse site above the current Busselton District Hospital site? (5) Of the reports identified in (3), which ones have, overall, ranked the Busselton hospital site above the Vasse site? (6) Given the answer to (4) is none, how is this consistent with the minister’s decision to persist with the Vasse site? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(6) The decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse was based on the ability of that site to accommodate all health services, including residential aged care, private medical facilities and the hospital at one site. This could not be achieved at the existing hospital site. While public opinion is important, it is only one factor to be considered in determining the best health outcomes for the community. (3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.
(4) Of those reports, which ones have, overall, ranked the Vasse site above the current Busselton District Hospital site? (5) Of the reports identified in (3), which ones have, overall, ranked the Busselton hospital site above the Vasse site? (6) Given the answer to (4) is none, how is this consistent with the minister’s decision to persist with the Vasse site? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(6) The decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse was based on the ability of that site to accommodate all health services, including residential aged care, private medical facilities and the hospital at one site. This could not be achieved at the existing hospital site. While public opinion is important, it is only one factor to be considered in determining the best health outcomes for the community. (3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.
(5) Of the reports identified in (3), which ones have, overall, ranked the Busselton hospital site above the Vasse site? (6) Given the answer to (4) is none, how is this consistent with the minister’s decision to persist with the Vasse site? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(6) The decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse was based on the ability of that site to accommodate all health services, including residential aged care, private medical facilities and the hospital at one site. This could not be achieved at the existing hospital site. While public opinion is important, it is only one factor to be considered in determining the best health outcomes for the community. (3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.
(6) Given the answer to (4) is none, how is this consistent with the minister’s decision to persist with the Vasse site? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(6) The decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse was based on the ability of that site to accommodate all health services, including residential aged care, private medical facilities and the hospital at one site. This could not be achieved at the existing hospital site. While public opinion is important, it is only one factor to be considered in determining the best health outcomes for the community. (3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(6) The decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse was based on the ability of that site to accommodate all health services, including residential aged care, private medical facilities and the hospital at one site. This could not be achieved at the existing hospital site. While public opinion is important, it is only one factor to be considered in determining the best health outcomes for the community. (3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(6) The decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse was based on the ability of that site to accommodate all health services, including residential aged care, private medical facilities and the hospital at one site. This could not be achieved at the existing hospital site. While public opinion is important, it is only one factor to be considered in determining the best health outcomes for the community. (3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.
(1)-(6) The decision to build the new Busselton hospital at Vasse was based on the ability of that site to accommodate all health services, including residential aged care, private medical facilities and the hospital at one site. This could not be achieved at the existing hospital site. While public opinion is important, it is only one factor to be considered in determining the best health outcomes for the community. (3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.
(3)-(5) Please place these questions on notice.

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