Hon. Helen Morton questions the proposed withdrawal of obstetric services at Kalamunda Hospital despite seemingly positive performance indicators. The Minister's response cites the Cohen and Reid reports advocating for consolidated obstetric services for improved safety, staffing, and efficiency, suggesting Kalamunda Hospital lacks the capacity to meet the new model of care.

AnsweredQoN 466Legislative Council
Asked
16 August 2005

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Does the minister agree that a metropolitan hospital in Western Australia that achieves the following Australian Council on Health Care Standards performance indicators is providing a good quality obstetric service and meeting safety practice guidelines - (a) a world-class activity, pulse, grimace, appearance and respiration - APGAR - score of zero per cent with no events; (b) non-emergency caesarean rates similar to or less than other comparable hospitals; (c) induction rates within normal limits; (d) average number of transfers to neonatal units; (e) a six-monthly review of all patient cases; and (f) the state’s highest consumer satisfaction levels when carried out by an independent survey? (2) Is the minister aware that these are some of the quality indicators of the obstetric service at Kalamunda District Community Hospital? (3) Is the reason for the proposed withdrawal of obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital due to issues of quality and safety practices at the hospital? (4) If yes to (3), what quality and safety practices at the hospital are of concern? (5) If no to (3), what are the reasons for the proposed withdrawal of obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Hon KATE DOUST

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health - (1)-(5) The Minister for Health has been made aware that Kalamunda hospital is meeting some of the performance indicators outlined in the honourable member’s question. Further, the Minister for Health is aware that these indicators are a measure of good quality obstetric care. The Cohen report proposed a model of care based upon sustainable quality and safety in obstetric service delivery. Following review of current models of care, the literature and consideration of practitioner input, based upon many years of collective clinical experience, a model of care for secondary hospitals was proposed. The model takes into account safety, staffing and efficiencies and economies of scale. The model was based upon quality and safety principles. The obstetric service and facilities at Kalamunda do not have the capacity to achieve the model of care. The Cohen report recommended that obstetric services across the state be consolidated to achieve the proposed model of care to ensure quality and safe service delivery. The Reid report subsequently endorsed these recommendations. The consolidation of obstetric services will contribute towards ensuring a safe and sustainable health system for all Western Australians. A clinical services consultation 2005 document was circulated widely and submissions were recently concluded. Cabinet will shortly consider recommendations arising from the period of consultation and will give serious consideration to any proposals relating to Kalamunda hospital.
(b) non-emergency caesarean rates similar to or less than other comparable hospitals; (c) induction rates within normal limits; (d) average number of transfers to neonatal units; (e) a six-monthly review of all patient cases; and (f) the state’s highest consumer satisfaction levels when carried out by an independent survey?
(c) induction rates within normal limits; (d) average number of transfers to neonatal units; (e) a six-monthly review of all patient cases; and (f) the state’s highest consumer satisfaction levels when carried out by an independent survey?
(d) average number of transfers to neonatal units; (e) a six-monthly review of all patient cases; and (f) the state’s highest consumer satisfaction levels when carried out by an independent survey?
(e) a six-monthly review of all patient cases; and (f) the state’s highest consumer satisfaction levels when carried out by an independent survey?
(f) the state’s highest consumer satisfaction levels when carried out by an independent survey?
(3) Is the reason for the proposed withdrawal of obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital due to issues of quality and safety practices at the hospital? (4) If yes to (3), what quality and safety practices at the hospital are of concern? (5) If no to (3), what are the reasons for the proposed withdrawal of obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health - (1)-(5) The Minister for Health has been made aware that Kalamunda hospital is meeting some of the performance indicators outlined in the honourable member’s question. Further, the Minister for Health is aware that these indicators are a measure of good quality obstetric care. The Cohen report proposed a model of care based upon sustainable quality and safety in obstetric service delivery. Following review of current models of care, the literature and consideration of practitioner input, based upon many years of collective clinical experience, a model of care for secondary hospitals was proposed. The model takes into account safety, staffing and efficiencies and economies of scale. The model was based upon quality and safety principles. The obstetric service and facilities at Kalamunda do not have the capacity to achieve the model of care. The Cohen report recommended that obstetric services across the state be consolidated to achieve the proposed model of care to ensure quality and safe service delivery. The Reid report subsequently endorsed these recommendations. The consolidation of obstetric services will contribute towards ensuring a safe and sustainable health system for all Western Australians. A clinical services consultation 2005 document was circulated widely and submissions were recently concluded. Cabinet will shortly consider recommendations arising from the period of consultation and will give serious consideration to any proposals relating to Kalamunda hospital.
(4) If yes to (3), what quality and safety practices at the hospital are of concern? (5) If no to (3), what are the reasons for the proposed withdrawal of obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health - (1)-(5) The Minister for Health has been made aware that Kalamunda hospital is meeting some of the performance indicators outlined in the honourable member’s question. Further, the Minister for Health is aware that these indicators are a measure of good quality obstetric care. The Cohen report proposed a model of care based upon sustainable quality and safety in obstetric service delivery. Following review of current models of care, the literature and consideration of practitioner input, based upon many years of collective clinical experience, a model of care for secondary hospitals was proposed. The model takes into account safety, staffing and efficiencies and economies of scale. The model was based upon quality and safety principles. The obstetric service and facilities at Kalamunda do not have the capacity to achieve the model of care. The Cohen report recommended that obstetric services across the state be consolidated to achieve the proposed model of care to ensure quality and safe service delivery. The Reid report subsequently endorsed these recommendations. The consolidation of obstetric services will contribute towards ensuring a safe and sustainable health system for all Western Australians. A clinical services consultation 2005 document was circulated widely and submissions were recently concluded. Cabinet will shortly consider recommendations arising from the period of consultation and will give serious consideration to any proposals relating to Kalamunda hospital.
(5) If no to (3), what are the reasons for the proposed withdrawal of obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health - (1)-(5) The Minister for Health has been made aware that Kalamunda hospital is meeting some of the performance indicators outlined in the honourable member’s question. Further, the Minister for Health is aware that these indicators are a measure of good quality obstetric care. The Cohen report proposed a model of care based upon sustainable quality and safety in obstetric service delivery. Following review of current models of care, the literature and consideration of practitioner input, based upon many years of collective clinical experience, a model of care for secondary hospitals was proposed. The model takes into account safety, staffing and efficiencies and economies of scale. The model was based upon quality and safety principles. The obstetric service and facilities at Kalamunda do not have the capacity to achieve the model of care. The Cohen report recommended that obstetric services across the state be consolidated to achieve the proposed model of care to ensure quality and safe service delivery. The Reid report subsequently endorsed these recommendations. The consolidation of obstetric services will contribute towards ensuring a safe and sustainable health system for all Western Australians. A clinical services consultation 2005 document was circulated widely and submissions were recently concluded. Cabinet will shortly consider recommendations arising from the period of consultation and will give serious consideration to any proposals relating to Kalamunda hospital.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health - (1)-(5) The Minister for Health has been made aware that Kalamunda hospital is meeting some of the performance indicators outlined in the honourable member’s question. Further, the Minister for Health is aware that these indicators are a measure of good quality obstetric care. The Cohen report proposed a model of care based upon sustainable quality and safety in obstetric service delivery. Following review of current models of care, the literature and consideration of practitioner input, based upon many years of collective clinical experience, a model of care for secondary hospitals was proposed. The model takes into account safety, staffing and efficiencies and economies of scale. The model was based upon quality and safety principles. The obstetric service and facilities at Kalamunda do not have the capacity to achieve the model of care. The Cohen report recommended that obstetric services across the state be consolidated to achieve the proposed model of care to ensure quality and safe service delivery. The Reid report subsequently endorsed these recommendations. The consolidation of obstetric services will contribute towards ensuring a safe and sustainable health system for all Western Australians. A clinical services consultation 2005 document was circulated widely and submissions were recently concluded. Cabinet will shortly consider recommendations arising from the period of consultation and will give serious consideration to any proposals relating to Kalamunda hospital.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health - (1)-(5) The Minister for Health has been made aware that Kalamunda hospital is meeting some of the performance indicators outlined in the honourable member’s question. Further, the Minister for Health is aware that these indicators are a measure of good quality obstetric care. The Cohen report proposed a model of care based upon sustainable quality and safety in obstetric service delivery. Following review of current models of care, the literature and consideration of practitioner input, based upon many years of collective clinical experience, a model of care for secondary hospitals was proposed. The model takes into account safety, staffing and efficiencies and economies of scale. The model was based upon quality and safety principles. The obstetric service and facilities at Kalamunda do not have the capacity to achieve the model of care. The Cohen report recommended that obstetric services across the state be consolidated to achieve the proposed model of care to ensure quality and safe service delivery. The Reid report subsequently endorsed these recommendations. The consolidation of obstetric services will contribute towards ensuring a safe and sustainable health system for all Western Australians. A clinical services consultation 2005 document was circulated widely and submissions were recently concluded. Cabinet will shortly consider recommendations arising from the period of consultation and will give serious consideration to any proposals relating to Kalamunda hospital.
(1)-(5) The Minister for Health has been made aware that Kalamunda hospital is meeting some of the performance indicators outlined in the honourable member’s question. Further, the Minister for Health is aware that these indicators are a measure of good quality obstetric care. The Cohen report proposed a model of care based upon sustainable quality and safety in obstetric service delivery. Following review of current models of care, the literature and consideration of practitioner input, based upon many years of collective clinical experience, a model of care for secondary hospitals was proposed. The model takes into account safety, staffing and efficiencies and economies of scale. The model was based upon quality and safety principles. The obstetric service and facilities at Kalamunda do not have the capacity to achieve the model of care. The Cohen report recommended that obstetric services across the state be consolidated to achieve the proposed model of care to ensure quality and safe service delivery. The Reid report subsequently endorsed these recommendations. The consolidation of obstetric services will contribute towards ensuring a safe and sustainable health system for all Western Australians. A clinical services consultation 2005 document was circulated widely and submissions were recently concluded. Cabinet will shortly consider recommendations arising from the period of consultation and will give serious consideration to any proposals relating to Kalamunda hospital.
The Cohen report recommended that obstetric services across the state be consolidated to achieve the proposed model of care to ensure quality and safe service delivery. The Reid report subsequently endorsed these recommendations. The consolidation of obstetric services will contribute towards ensuring a safe and sustainable health system for all Western Australians. A clinical services consultation 2005 document was circulated widely and submissions were recently concluded. Cabinet will shortly consider recommendations arising from the period of consultation and will give serious consideration to any proposals relating to Kalamunda hospital.
A clinical services consultation 2005 document was circulated widely and submissions were recently concluded. Cabinet will shortly consider recommendations arising from the period of consultation and will give serious consideration to any proposals relating to Kalamunda hospital.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more