❓ Mr. Cook questions the Minister for Health about the provision of a dedicated lounge for parents and carers at the new Perth Children's Hospital, following cuts at Princess Margaret Hospital. The Minister deflects, promising a later debate and criticising the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 660Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL —
FRIENDSHIP ROOM
660. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the Minister for Health's
decision to axe staff and beds at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children ahead
of the commissioning of the new Perth Children's Hospital, including
cuts to play therapy coordinators, ambulatory care coordinators, paediatric
mental health services in the acute response team and junior doctor numbers.
(1) Will there be
a dedicated lounge—not a multipurpose lounge—for parents and
carers of children undergoing surgery close to the operating theatres in the
new Perth Children's Hospital; and, if not, why not?
(2) If so, where
in the hospital will it be located?
(3) Will it be in a closed room, an area open to
general public and staff or in an area used as a thoroughfare?
(4) How many
volunteers does the friendship room have and how many have indicated that they
will not go across to the new hospital to run the equivalent of the friendship
room?
FRIENDSHIP ROOM
660. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the Minister for Health's
decision to axe staff and beds at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children ahead
of the commissioning of the new Perth Children's Hospital, including
cuts to play therapy coordinators, ambulatory care coordinators, paediatric
mental health services in the acute response team and junior doctor numbers.
(1) Will there be
a dedicated lounge—not a multipurpose lounge—for parents and
carers of children undergoing surgery close to the operating theatres in the
new Perth Children's Hospital; and, if not, why not?
(2) If so, where
in the hospital will it be located?
(3) Will it be in a closed room, an area open to
general public and staff or in an area used as a thoroughfare?
(4) How many
volunteers does the friendship room have and how many have indicated that they
will not go across to the new hospital to run the equivalent of the friendship
room?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) We
will have a debate about Perth Children's Hospital and some wider
issues in the matter of public interest today, and I will take the opportunity,
as will no doubt the Treasurer and probably the Premier, to remind members and
the wider community about what a wonderful new facility this is going to be for
the children of Western Australia—something that is being achieved by
this government and that would not have been achieved by the Labor government.
Just as an aside, I make the observation that the Leader of the Opposition
cannot quite seem to make up his mind about where he wants to go on this issue,
because yesterday on the one hand he said he would be criticising us for the
hospital being later in opening than has been desired, but on the other hand if
we do open it this year, he would be criticising us for that. Please make up
your mind, Leader of the Opposition.
Point of Order
Mr
R.H. COOK : My point of order is on the question of relevance. My
questions were very specifically about the friendship lounge now and the
friendship lounge at the new children's hospital. I ask you to direct
the minister to answer the question.
The
SPEAKER : Minister, back to the friendship lounge, please.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr J.H.D. DAY : In
relation to the friendship room, I understand the opposition expressed concern
today about the fact that it had been closed. I have been advised that it was
closed for a short time on one day last week so the volunteers could attend
their general meeting, and it continues to operate as normal. I will get advice
on what exactly will be provided in the new Perth Children's Hospital
in relation to the friendship room. I am not going to comment on details that I
do not currently have.
will have a debate about Perth Children's Hospital and some wider
issues in the matter of public interest today, and I will take the opportunity,
as will no doubt the Treasurer and probably the Premier, to remind members and
the wider community about what a wonderful new facility this is going to be for
the children of Western Australia—something that is being achieved by
this government and that would not have been achieved by the Labor government.
Just as an aside, I make the observation that the Leader of the Opposition
cannot quite seem to make up his mind about where he wants to go on this issue,
because yesterday on the one hand he said he would be criticising us for the
hospital being later in opening than has been desired, but on the other hand if
we do open it this year, he would be criticising us for that. Please make up
your mind, Leader of the Opposition.
Point of Order
Mr
R.H. COOK : My point of order is on the question of relevance. My
questions were very specifically about the friendship lounge now and the
friendship lounge at the new children's hospital. I ask you to direct
the minister to answer the question.
The
SPEAKER : Minister, back to the friendship lounge, please.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr J.H.D. DAY : In
relation to the friendship room, I understand the opposition expressed concern
today about the fact that it had been closed. I have been advised that it was
closed for a short time on one day last week so the volunteers could attend
their general meeting, and it continues to operate as normal. I will get advice
on what exactly will be provided in the new Perth Children's Hospital
in relation to the friendship room. I am not going to comment on details that I
do not currently have.
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