❓ Hon Giz Watson raises concerns about GP access in Stirling-Central due to high chronic disease prevalence and hospitalisation rates. The Minister acknowledges the issue, attributing it to a national doctor shortage and Commonwealth control over training and Medicare, while highlighting collaborative efforts to increase training places.
AnsweredQoN 6033Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Given the prevalence of potentially preventable chronic diseases in the Stirling-Central area were higher than the State average, and in 2010, Stirling-Central residents were hospitalized a total of 1,709 times due to chronic conditions which equates to 8,887 bed days at an approximate cost of $13,156,419, as outlined in the
Department of Health: Population Health and Profile for Stirling-Central Statistical Local Area
, I ask —
(1) Is the Minister concerned about access to General Practitioner services for Stirling-Central residents?
(2) If yes to (1), what is the Minister doing to rectify this?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
Department of Health: Population Health and Profile for Stirling-Central Statistical Local Area
, I ask —
(1) Is the Minister concerned about access to General Practitioner services for Stirling-Central residents?
(2) If yes to (1), what is the Minister doing to rectify this?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 October 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Health
Response time
35 days
(1) Yes.
(2) The shortfall in the number of doctors is of concern to the State Government. Western Australia has fewer doctors per capita than any other State. Although the shortage is a State-wide issue, it is most severe in rural and remote areas.
The Commonwealth Government controls the supply of doctors, including determining the number of training places and entry requirements for overseas trained doctors. Past decisions in relation to the management of these areas have contributed to the doctor shortage now being experienced.
The Commonwealth and State Governments have recently been working cooperatively to increase the number of training places in Western Australian university medical schools. Although this will not immediately resolve the shortfall in the number of doctors, over time it will assist in addressing the problem.
The Commonwealth is also responsible for subsidising services provided by medical practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). The State Government does not have any jurisdiction in relation to these matters although, in recognition of the need for additional after hours general practitioners (GPs), the State Government does currently provide some financial support for after-hours GP services.
(3) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
(2) The shortfall in the number of doctors is of concern to the State Government. Western Australia has fewer doctors per capita than any other State. Although the shortage is a State-wide issue, it is most severe in rural and remote areas.
The Commonwealth Government controls the supply of doctors, including determining the number of training places and entry requirements for overseas trained doctors. Past decisions in relation to the management of these areas have contributed to the doctor shortage now being experienced.
The Commonwealth and State Governments have recently been working cooperatively to increase the number of training places in Western Australian university medical schools. Although this will not immediately resolve the shortfall in the number of doctors, over time it will assist in addressing the problem.
The Commonwealth is also responsible for subsidising services provided by medical practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). The State Government does not have any jurisdiction in relation to these matters although, in recognition of the need for additional after hours general practitioners (GPs), the State Government does currently provide some financial support for after-hours GP services.
(3) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.