❓ Hon Barbara Scott raises concerns about a dentist shortage in the Pilbara and Kimberley. Hon Sue Ellery responds, outlining recruitment efforts through the rural dentist scheme and internal resources.
AnsweredQoN 365Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Is the minister aware of a serious shortage of dentists in both the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia; and, if so, will he inform the Parliament of the steps that are being taken to address this problem? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the Pilbara there are four dentist positions. Two of these positions are currently filled and I am pleased to confirm that dentists for both Port Hedland and Newman have recently been recruited through the rural dentist scheme. The two dentists are expected to take up their appointments within the next three months. In the Kimberley, there are four dentist positions. One of these positions is currently filled. I am pleased to confirm that a second dentist for Derby has recently been recruited through the rural dentist scheme. Again, the dentist is expected to take up the appointment within the next three months. The remaining dentist positions in the Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek clinics are being addressed through the rural dentist scheme and the utilisation of the services of dentists already employed by the Department of Health.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the Pilbara there are four dentist positions. Two of these positions are currently filled and I am pleased to confirm that dentists for both Port Hedland and Newman have recently been recruited through the rural dentist scheme. The two dentists are expected to take up their appointments within the next three months. In the Kimberley, there are four dentist positions. One of these positions is currently filled. I am pleased to confirm that a second dentist for Derby has recently been recruited through the rural dentist scheme. Again, the dentist is expected to take up the appointment within the next three months. The remaining dentist positions in the Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek clinics are being addressed through the rural dentist scheme and the utilisation of the services of dentists already employed by the Department of Health.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the Pilbara there are four dentist positions. Two of these positions are currently filled and I am pleased to confirm that dentists for both Port Hedland and Newman have recently been recruited through the rural dentist scheme. The two dentists are expected to take up their appointments within the next three months. In the Kimberley, there are four dentist positions. One of these positions is currently filled. I am pleased to confirm that a second dentist for Derby has recently been recruited through the rural dentist scheme. Again, the dentist is expected to take up the appointment within the next three months. The remaining dentist positions in the Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek clinics are being addressed through the rural dentist scheme and the utilisation of the services of dentists already employed by the Department of Health.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the Pilbara there are four dentist positions. Two of these positions are currently filled and I am pleased to confirm that dentists for both Port Hedland and Newman have recently been recruited through the rural dentist scheme. The two dentists are expected to take up their appointments within the next three months. In the Kimberley, there are four dentist positions. One of these positions is currently filled. I am pleased to confirm that a second dentist for Derby has recently been recruited through the rural dentist scheme. Again, the dentist is expected to take up the appointment within the next three months. The remaining dentist positions in the Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek clinics are being addressed through the rural dentist scheme and the utilisation of the services of dentists already employed by the Department of Health.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the Pilbara there are four dentist positions. Two of these positions are currently filled and I am pleased to confirm that dentists for both Port Hedland and Newman have recently been recruited through the rural dentist scheme. The two dentists are expected to take up their appointments within the next three months. In the Kimberley, there are four dentist positions. One of these positions is currently filled. I am pleased to confirm that a second dentist for Derby has recently been recruited through the rural dentist scheme. Again, the dentist is expected to take up the appointment within the next three months. The remaining dentist positions in the Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek clinics are being addressed through the rural dentist scheme and the utilisation of the services of dentists already employed by the Department of Health.
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