Question regarding nursing positions at Hedland Health Campus maternity unit, including vacancies, agency nurses, and relocation of staff. The response clarifies the staffing situation and denies any delays in appointments.

AnsweredQoN 581Legislative Council
Asked
15 May 2014
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

HEDLAND
HEALTH CAMPUS — MATERNITY UNIT
581. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I ask this question without notice on behalf of Hon Stephen
Dawson who is currently on urgent parliamentary business. I refer to the
Hedland Health Campus.
(1) How many nursing positions are attached to the hospital's
maternity unit?
(2) Are any of these positions currently vacant and if so how
many?
(3) How many agency nurses are currently employed in the
maternity unit?
(4) Have any
personnel been relocated to Port Hedland in anticipation of commencing nursing
work in the hospital's maternity unit?
(5) If yes to
(4), what is the justification for delaying the appointment of key nursing
personnel and what are the envisaged cost savings, if any, in delaying the
appointment of new nursing staff until after 30 June 2014?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of the question. On behalf
of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide
the following response.
(1) Currently there are 13 nursing positions attached to the
Hedland Health Campus maternity unit.
(2) As of 14 May
2014, two positions are vacant and recruitment to these positions is being
actively pursued.
(3) As of 14 May
2014, one agency nurse is employed in the maternity unit, with another one
agency nurse due to commence work on 19 May 2014.
(4) Yes; one
clinical midwife—a full-time position—was relocated to Port
Hedland and commenced work on 23 April 2014.
(5) There is
no delay in appointment. Midwifery staff are considered essential front-line
clinical positions and the staff commence work as soon as practicable after
arrival at Port Hedland.

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