Question regarding health service preparedness at Carnarvon Health Campus during the Gascoyne Dash motorsport event. The response details WACHS's actions and clarifies Tourism WA's role.

AnsweredQoN 31Legislative Assembly
Asked
29 April 2025
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to operations at the Carnarvon Health Campus on the weekend of the 12th and 13th of April 2025, the weekend of the motorsport event the Gascoyne Dash, and I ask: (a) What specific additional measures (beyond usual weekend operating procedures) were put in place prior to the Gascoyne Dash event to ensure adequate Health Campus support during the event; (b) What contingency plans were developed by Carnarvon Health Campus prior to the Gascoyne Dash to manage a potential rise in presentations because of the Gascoyne Dash and other Community incidents; (c) Did anyone from WA Country Health attend in person or online, any planning meetings of the Gascoyne Dash prior to the event; and (d) Did Tourism WA consult WA Country Health either in person, via email or by telephone, as part of its management plan for the Gascoyne Dash?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
29 May 2025
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
8 days
(a-c)
WA Country Health Service (WACHS) contacted organisers to determine structure and capability of event medical team/s and the planned management, transfer and/or retrieval of more serious/life threatening injuries.
To adequately prepare, additional staff, including an additional medical practitioner was rostered over the weekend at Carnarvon Hospital and extra nursing staff were on standby.
A senior medical practitioner also attended the ‘Critical Incident Meeting’ held by the event organisers.
(d)
Tourism Western Australia advises it is the responsibility of the Event Holder to liaise with the Department of Health and/or WA Country Health Service as part of their event and risk management processes.

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