❓ A parliamentary question regarding the devolution of paediatric services to peripheral hospitals, specifically Joondalup, and the Minister's response addressing concerns about standards of care and potential tragedies.
AnsweredQoN 292Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Mr Speaker, I refer to the letter written to Michael Moodie, with a copy to you and the Premier, dated 7 September, by six eminent paediatric consultants opposing the Government’s policy of devolving paediatric services to peripheral hospitals, and specifically to their claim that “What happened in Joondalup over the last few months is probably a reflection of the fact that the standards of care are just not there as far as paediatrics is concerned. Further tragedies will occur if the policy is pursued.” (1) Does the Minister agree with Dr King and these eminent, world-class paediatric consultants? (2) If not, is their judgment incorrect? (3) If yes, what steps has the minister taken to address their concerns that this policy, if pursued, will result in further tragedies? Mr DAY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
(1) Does the Minister agree with Dr King and these eminent, world-class paediatric consultants? (2) If not, is their judgment incorrect? (3) If yes, what steps has the minister taken to address their concerns that this policy, if pursued, will result in further tragedies? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
(2) If not, is their judgment incorrect? (3) If yes, what steps has the minister taken to address their concerns that this policy, if pursued, will result in further tragedies? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
(3) If yes, what steps has the minister taken to address their concerns that this policy, if pursued, will result in further tragedies? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
(1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
(1) Does the Minister agree with Dr King and these eminent, world-class paediatric consultants? (2) If not, is their judgment incorrect? (3) If yes, what steps has the minister taken to address their concerns that this policy, if pursued, will result in further tragedies? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
(2) If not, is their judgment incorrect? (3) If yes, what steps has the minister taken to address their concerns that this policy, if pursued, will result in further tragedies? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
(3) If yes, what steps has the minister taken to address their concerns that this policy, if pursued, will result in further tragedies? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
(1)-(3) I find the Labor Party’s attitude expressed through this question very surprising. I would have thought that if there was any organisation which would be interested in getting services closer to areas of large population growth and to where Labor electorates are located, such as Armadale and the member’s own electorate of Thornlie, for example, and in the northern suburbs, it would be the Labor Party. The reality is that there is a need for paediatric services in all parts of Western Australia, not only the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Princess Margaret Hospital, quite rightly, is the tertiary hospital of referral for children’s health services and is our premier children’s hospital, and always will be, but that does not mean that services should not also be developed in places such as Joondalup, Armadale and Swan District Hospital. I do not agree with the sentiments expressed in the letter quoted by the member. They certainly have not been borne out in some of the private discussions that I have had with other medical staff who are, among other things, involved in treating patients at Princess Margaret Hospital. Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
Referring to the two cases about which justifiable concern has been expressed regarding treatment at Joondalup Health Campus, I have ensured that one of those cases has been fully investigated and within two weeks of that incident occurring - in particular, the resuscitation of the young boy who was taken to the hospital for treatment - I made public the causes of the errors that occurred. In brief, errors of judgment were made by clinical staff, doctors in particular. The incident in relation to the baby who tragically died at the Joondalup hospital a few weeks prior to that is the subject of a coronial inquiry and we need to await the outcome of that inquiry. However, it appears to be the case that matters of individual clinical judgment are involved. That sort of problem can occur at any hospital. Indeed, that problem has occurred at Princess Margaret Hospital in the past. When we are relying on the professional judgment of well-trained clinicians, we need to rely on them to use their judgment. Quite frankly, irrespective of whether they are located at Joondalup Health Campus or at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other hospital, errors can and tragically sometimes do occur.
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