❓ A parliamentary question on notice regarding elective surgery waiting lists in Western Australia. The opposition questions the government's performance and commitment to fixing the public hospital system, while the minister acknowledges the issue but highlights improvements made.
AnsweredQoN 356Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ELECTIVE SURGERY WAITING LIST
Through parliamentary questions without notice and a question on notice, the opposition has obtained figures showing that more than 21 260 people are waiting to consult surgical specialists, adding to more than 13 000 already on the public hospital waiting list; that is, more than 34 000 people waiting for this government to provide services needed to improve the quality of life of these people. (1) Is it the position of this government that this figure is acceptable? (2) Will the minister now concede that his government has failed to meet its election promise to fix the public hospital system in Western Australia? Mr J.A. McGINTY
Through parliamentary questions without notice and a question on notice, the opposition has obtained figures showing that more than 21 260 people are waiting to consult surgical specialists, adding to more than 13 000 already on the public hospital waiting list; that is, more than 34 000 people waiting for this government to provide services needed to improve the quality of life of these people. (1) Is it the position of this government that this figure is acceptable? (2) Will the minister now concede that his government has failed to meet its election promise to fix the public hospital system in Western Australia? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I think I inadvertently answered the question in response to the initial question from the Leader of the Opposition. However, I will say this: I do not regard the current level of the elective surgery waiting list and the level of people waiting for an outpatient appointment with a surgical specialist as acceptable in any sense. The reason we have put additional resources into the provision of outpatient services is to further reduce the list. The member for Roe might recall when the question was first asked of me in a letter from the member for Dawesville - I think three years ago - that the relevant figure then for the number of people waiting for a surgical outpatient appointment was 32 000 or 34 000. We have managed to reduce that, on the figures the member for Roe has just given, to 21 000; that is, as a result of the efforts we have put in to provide extra outpatient appointments, we have been able to reduce that figure by 50 per cent. Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
(1) Is it the position of this government that this figure is acceptable? (2) Will the minister now concede that his government has failed to meet its election promise to fix the public hospital system in Western Australia? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) I think I inadvertently answered the question in response to the initial question from the Leader of the Opposition. However, I will say this: I do not regard the current level of the elective surgery waiting list and the level of people waiting for an outpatient appointment with a surgical specialist as acceptable in any sense. The reason we have put additional resources into the provision of outpatient services is to further reduce the list. The member for Roe might recall when the question was first asked of me in a letter from the member for Dawesville - I think three years ago - that the relevant figure then for the number of people waiting for a surgical outpatient appointment was 32 000 or 34 000. We have managed to reduce that, on the figures the member for Roe has just given, to 21 000; that is, as a result of the efforts we have put in to provide extra outpatient appointments, we have been able to reduce that figure by 50 per cent. Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
(2) Will the minister now concede that his government has failed to meet its election promise to fix the public hospital system in Western Australia? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) I think I inadvertently answered the question in response to the initial question from the Leader of the Opposition. However, I will say this: I do not regard the current level of the elective surgery waiting list and the level of people waiting for an outpatient appointment with a surgical specialist as acceptable in any sense. The reason we have put additional resources into the provision of outpatient services is to further reduce the list. The member for Roe might recall when the question was first asked of me in a letter from the member for Dawesville - I think three years ago - that the relevant figure then for the number of people waiting for a surgical outpatient appointment was 32 000 or 34 000. We have managed to reduce that, on the figures the member for Roe has just given, to 21 000; that is, as a result of the efforts we have put in to provide extra outpatient appointments, we have been able to reduce that figure by 50 per cent. Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) I think I inadvertently answered the question in response to the initial question from the Leader of the Opposition. However, I will say this: I do not regard the current level of the elective surgery waiting list and the level of people waiting for an outpatient appointment with a surgical specialist as acceptable in any sense. The reason we have put additional resources into the provision of outpatient services is to further reduce the list. The member for Roe might recall when the question was first asked of me in a letter from the member for Dawesville - I think three years ago - that the relevant figure then for the number of people waiting for a surgical outpatient appointment was 32 000 or 34 000. We have managed to reduce that, on the figures the member for Roe has just given, to 21 000; that is, as a result of the efforts we have put in to provide extra outpatient appointments, we have been able to reduce that figure by 50 per cent. Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
(1)-(2) I think I inadvertently answered the question in response to the initial question from the Leader of the Opposition. However, I will say this: I do not regard the current level of the elective surgery waiting list and the level of people waiting for an outpatient appointment with a surgical specialist as acceptable in any sense. The reason we have put additional resources into the provision of outpatient services is to further reduce the list. The member for Roe might recall when the question was first asked of me in a letter from the member for Dawesville - I think three years ago - that the relevant figure then for the number of people waiting for a surgical outpatient appointment was 32 000 or 34 000. We have managed to reduce that, on the figures the member for Roe has just given, to 21 000; that is, as a result of the efforts we have put in to provide extra outpatient appointments, we have been able to reduce that figure by 50 per cent. Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
(1) Is it the position of this government that this figure is acceptable? (2) Will the minister now concede that his government has failed to meet its election promise to fix the public hospital system in Western Australia? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) I think I inadvertently answered the question in response to the initial question from the Leader of the Opposition. However, I will say this: I do not regard the current level of the elective surgery waiting list and the level of people waiting for an outpatient appointment with a surgical specialist as acceptable in any sense. The reason we have put additional resources into the provision of outpatient services is to further reduce the list. The member for Roe might recall when the question was first asked of me in a letter from the member for Dawesville - I think three years ago - that the relevant figure then for the number of people waiting for a surgical outpatient appointment was 32 000 or 34 000. We have managed to reduce that, on the figures the member for Roe has just given, to 21 000; that is, as a result of the efforts we have put in to provide extra outpatient appointments, we have been able to reduce that figure by 50 per cent. Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
(2) Will the minister now concede that his government has failed to meet its election promise to fix the public hospital system in Western Australia? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) I think I inadvertently answered the question in response to the initial question from the Leader of the Opposition. However, I will say this: I do not regard the current level of the elective surgery waiting list and the level of people waiting for an outpatient appointment with a surgical specialist as acceptable in any sense. The reason we have put additional resources into the provision of outpatient services is to further reduce the list. The member for Roe might recall when the question was first asked of me in a letter from the member for Dawesville - I think three years ago - that the relevant figure then for the number of people waiting for a surgical outpatient appointment was 32 000 or 34 000. We have managed to reduce that, on the figures the member for Roe has just given, to 21 000; that is, as a result of the efforts we have put in to provide extra outpatient appointments, we have been able to reduce that figure by 50 per cent. Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) I think I inadvertently answered the question in response to the initial question from the Leader of the Opposition. However, I will say this: I do not regard the current level of the elective surgery waiting list and the level of people waiting for an outpatient appointment with a surgical specialist as acceptable in any sense. The reason we have put additional resources into the provision of outpatient services is to further reduce the list. The member for Roe might recall when the question was first asked of me in a letter from the member for Dawesville - I think three years ago - that the relevant figure then for the number of people waiting for a surgical outpatient appointment was 32 000 or 34 000. We have managed to reduce that, on the figures the member for Roe has just given, to 21 000; that is, as a result of the efforts we have put in to provide extra outpatient appointments, we have been able to reduce that figure by 50 per cent. Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
(1)-(2) I think I inadvertently answered the question in response to the initial question from the Leader of the Opposition. However, I will say this: I do not regard the current level of the elective surgery waiting list and the level of people waiting for an outpatient appointment with a surgical specialist as acceptable in any sense. The reason we have put additional resources into the provision of outpatient services is to further reduce the list. The member for Roe might recall when the question was first asked of me in a letter from the member for Dawesville - I think three years ago - that the relevant figure then for the number of people waiting for a surgical outpatient appointment was 32 000 or 34 000. We have managed to reduce that, on the figures the member for Roe has just given, to 21 000; that is, as a result of the efforts we have put in to provide extra outpatient appointments, we have been able to reduce that figure by 50 per cent. Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Dr G.G. Jacobs : There are 13 000 on the waiting list and another 21 000 waiting to see a specialist. Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : Let me make this point: the figure under the previous coalition government has been slashed. It is not good enough. We still need to do a lot more. That is the reason we are working to provide additional specialists for outpatient appointments to determine whether people should go into elective surgery. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I will repeat, as obviously members opposite did not hear, that we have slashed the elective surgery waiting list in this state from 22 000 to 12 000 and something at the moment. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : It is the sort of figure that members opposite only dream about. Not only that, but we have also slashed waiting times. The average waiting time when members opposite were in government was five months; it has come down to almost half that now to three months. We are determined to drive it even lower to achieve those objectives. Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
Both questions asked today referred to absolute figures. I tell members that 730 000 people attend emergency departments of government hospitals each year for treatment in Western Australia. That is a phenomenal figure. Of course a number of people attend twice or three times, but one in three Western Australians is treated in an emergency department in a government hospital. That is a fantastic figure. Of course that number in respect of children has risen enormously in the past month following the influenza issues. Most parents, quite rightly, have been worried about their children and we have been able to respond, under great pressure, with thousands more people turning up at hospital emergency departments throughout the state because they know they will get expert treatment in those facilities. I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
I take this opportunity, while I am on my feet, to give particular praise to the doctors and nurses in the emergency department at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for the above and beyond the call of duty and superb job they have done in dealing with the flu issue in the past month.
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