❓ Mr Board questions the Health Minister about elective surgery waiting lists, citing conflicting information between a press release and the Auditor General's report. The Minister defends the government's record, highlighting a reduction in waitlist numbers compared to the previous government.
AnsweredQoN 1398Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to his predecessor’s press release dated 12 December 2003 in which he claimed that elective surgery waiting lists have plunged to their lowest level in 11 years. (1) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s report released last week that found that waiting lists have not improved over the past four years, and that hundreds of people are waiting more than five years for elective surgery? (2) Is the minister also aware that the Auditor General found that the current waitlist reporting system represents only 47 per cent of the total waiting list? (3) Given that the Auditor General recommended improved coordination of elective surgery waiting lists, will the minister now restore the annual $12 million funding that his Government removed from the Central Wait List Bureau? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
(1) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s report released last week that found that waiting lists have not improved over the past four years, and that hundreds of people are waiting more than five years for elective surgery? (2) Is the minister also aware that the Auditor General found that the current waitlist reporting system represents only 47 per cent of the total waiting list? (3) Given that the Auditor General recommended improved coordination of elective surgery waiting lists, will the minister now restore the annual $12 million funding that his Government removed from the Central Wait List Bureau? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
(2) Is the minister also aware that the Auditor General found that the current waitlist reporting system represents only 47 per cent of the total waiting list? (3) Given that the Auditor General recommended improved coordination of elective surgery waiting lists, will the minister now restore the annual $12 million funding that his Government removed from the Central Wait List Bureau? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
(3) Given that the Auditor General recommended improved coordination of elective surgery waiting lists, will the minister now restore the annual $12 million funding that his Government removed from the Central Wait List Bureau? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
(1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
(1) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s report released last week that found that waiting lists have not improved over the past four years, and that hundreds of people are waiting more than five years for elective surgery? (2) Is the minister also aware that the Auditor General found that the current waitlist reporting system represents only 47 per cent of the total waiting list? (3) Given that the Auditor General recommended improved coordination of elective surgery waiting lists, will the minister now restore the annual $12 million funding that his Government removed from the Central Wait List Bureau? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
(2) Is the minister also aware that the Auditor General found that the current waitlist reporting system represents only 47 per cent of the total waiting list? (3) Given that the Auditor General recommended improved coordination of elective surgery waiting lists, will the minister now restore the annual $12 million funding that his Government removed from the Central Wait List Bureau? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
(3) Given that the Auditor General recommended improved coordination of elective surgery waiting lists, will the minister now restore the annual $12 million funding that his Government removed from the Central Wait List Bureau? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
(1)-(3) I refer the member to the report of the Auditor General titled “Patients Waiting: Access to Elective Surgery in Western Australia”. Under the heading “Waitlist Numbers” at page 19, the report states - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: That is what is done; waiting lists are reported. In answer to the first point raised by the member, I will leave it at that. There are 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist for elective surgery in Western Australia than there was when the member was in government. Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr M.F. Board interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: If the member does not think that is what it says, I will quote it again - The number of patients on the reported waitlist has fallen from 17 500 in August 1999 to 13 500 in August 2003. Mr M.F. Board interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
The SPEAKER: Order! If members have stopped interrupting, we can continue. Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: The requirement on all States is to report in conformity with the standards laid down by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It specifies which lists are to be included so that we can have an accurate interstate comparison. The Auditor General was at pains to point out that the traditional and accepted method of determining what is a waitlist and what procedures are included on it, was used. It is the national standard. There were 4 000 fewer people on the waitlist in August this year - as traditionally measured than there was when the Opposition was in government in 1999. The Auditor General reported that in that period the number of people on the waitlist had fallen from 17 500 to 13 500. When the Opposition was in government, the number of people on the waitlist was more than 20 000 compared with - this is an apples with apples comparison - 13 500 people waiting for surgery today. That is the truth of the matter. Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Waiting times are the most important data. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: Does the member know what the Auditor General said about that? No. He should read the report; he obviously has not read it. Members opposite will find in the report a comment by the Auditor General that although the number of people on the waitlist has fallen, waiting times have remained stationary. Having said that, it is an unacceptable situation, even though the number of people waiting for elective surgery in Western Australia is currently at an 11-year low. It is an unacceptable position, which the Government will do something about. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I am happy to respond to the member’s interjection. The point that must be made is simple: too many people have been waiting on the list for too long. They have been waiting for longer than is clinically desirable. In particular, some very patient Western Australians have been waiting for a length of time that no member in this House would consider acceptable. The Government will do something about that. We were previously aware of the situation that the Auditor General has highlighted in his report, and the Government will properly address it. It was very interesting that the Liberal Party health policy, which was relaunched about a month ago, was silent on the question of elective surgery. Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr M.F. Board: It was not a policy for a start. Read the front page. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: It was silent on one of the big issues affecting health care in Western Australia: waiting times for elective surgery. It was a 40-page document and there was not a word in it on what the Opposition would do about either the number of people on the waitlist or the time those people wait for surgery. Do members know why the Opposition’s document was silent? It is simple: the coalition Government was a failure when it was in government. More than 20 000 people were on the waitlist for surgery then compared with 13 500 on the waitlist today. It is no wonder that the Opposition was silent on the question of elective surgery and what it would do about it, because it does not have the answers. It is as simple as that.
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