❓ Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas questions the Minister for Health, Meredith Hammat, regarding the specific locations of 800 new hospital beds. The Minister deflects, promising details in estimates next week, leading to interjections and a heated exchange.
AnsweredQoN 276Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Hospital beds
276. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Minister for Health:
I have a
supplementary question. This is farcical. As the minister responsible for
health in this state, how can the minister not provide a breakdown of where
these 800 beds are?
276. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Minister for Health:
I have a
supplementary question. This is farcical. As the minister responsible for
health in this state, how can the minister not provide a breakdown of where
these 800 beds are?
AnswerView source ↗
We have provided at
different times information about beds.
Mr Basil Zempilas: Tell us now, then.
Ms Meredith Hammat: We will have a chance next week in
estimates to go through it in some detail if that is what the member wants. We
are always—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition!
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Meredith Hammat: We are getting on with the
business of delivering health care for Western Australians.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, you have asked
the question. The minister is responding.
Ms Meredith Hammat: We are delivering more beds, and
as one of the Leader of the Opposition's members identified yesterday, it is
not just about beds, which is why we are really proud of the work we are doing
to increase staff as well. We are increasing the staffing profile—5,500
more nurses and 2,200 more doctors since 2017. We are delivering more care in
the community, Hospital in the Home—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Meredith Hammat: We will continue to do all the
things that we need to do to make sure Western Australians have access to the
health care they need.
different times information about beds.
Mr Basil Zempilas: Tell us now, then.
Ms Meredith Hammat: We will have a chance next week in
estimates to go through it in some detail if that is what the member wants. We
are always—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition!
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Meredith Hammat: We are getting on with the
business of delivering health care for Western Australians.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, you have asked
the question. The minister is responding.
Ms Meredith Hammat: We are delivering more beds, and
as one of the Leader of the Opposition's members identified yesterday, it is
not just about beds, which is why we are really proud of the work we are doing
to increase staff as well. We are increasing the staffing profile—5,500
more nurses and 2,200 more doctors since 2017. We are delivering more care in
the community, Hospital in the Home—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Meredith Hammat: We will continue to do all the
things that we need to do to make sure Western Australians have access to the
health care they need.
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