❓ Mr. Cook questions the availability of doctors in country emergency departments, prompting a detailed response from Dr. Hames regarding staffing arrangements in various regional and smaller hospitals.
AnsweredQoN 537Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HOSPITALS — COUNTRY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS
I refer to the alarming reports that almost one-third of patients visiting country emergency departments are not seen by a doctor. (1) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state whether a doctor is on-site and on duty 24 hours a day. (2) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state whether a doctor is rostered on call when not on-site and on duty 24 hours a day. (3) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state how many hours a doctor is available on-site in a 24-hour period and whether the doctor is not available 24 hours a day on-site. (4) What answers is the minister preparing to give and offer the Allan family, other than his dismissive comment that as a general practitioner he would not want to be called for every patient with fever and vomiting like their son? Dr K.D. HAMES
I refer to the alarming reports that almost one-third of patients visiting country emergency departments are not seen by a doctor. (1) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state whether a doctor is on-site and on duty 24 hours a day. (2) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state whether a doctor is rostered on call when not on-site and on duty 24 hours a day. (3) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state how many hours a doctor is available on-site in a 24-hour period and whether the doctor is not available 24 hours a day on-site. (4) What answers is the minister preparing to give and offer the Allan family, other than his dismissive comment that as a general practitioner he would not want to be called for every patient with fever and vomiting like their son? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(1) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state whether a doctor is on-site and on duty 24 hours a day. (2) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state whether a doctor is rostered on call when not on-site and on duty 24 hours a day. (3) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state how many hours a doctor is available on-site in a 24-hour period and whether the doctor is not available 24 hours a day on-site. (4) What answers is the minister preparing to give and offer the Allan family, other than his dismissive comment that as a general practitioner he would not want to be called for every patient with fever and vomiting like their son? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(2) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state whether a doctor is rostered on call when not on-site and on duty 24 hours a day. (3) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state how many hours a doctor is available on-site in a 24-hour period and whether the doctor is not available 24 hours a day on-site. (4) What answers is the minister preparing to give and offer the Allan family, other than his dismissive comment that as a general practitioner he would not want to be called for every patient with fever and vomiting like their son? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(3) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state how many hours a doctor is available on-site in a 24-hour period and whether the doctor is not available 24 hours a day on-site. (4) What answers is the minister preparing to give and offer the Allan family, other than his dismissive comment that as a general practitioner he would not want to be called for every patient with fever and vomiting like their son? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(4) What answers is the minister preparing to give and offer the Allan family, other than his dismissive comment that as a general practitioner he would not want to be called for every patient with fever and vomiting like their son? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(1) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state whether a doctor is on-site and on duty 24 hours a day. (2) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state whether a doctor is rostered on call when not on-site and on duty 24 hours a day. (3) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state how many hours a doctor is available on-site in a 24-hour period and whether the doctor is not available 24 hours a day on-site. (4) What answers is the minister preparing to give and offer the Allan family, other than his dismissive comment that as a general practitioner he would not want to be called for every patient with fever and vomiting like their son? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(2) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state whether a doctor is rostered on call when not on-site and on duty 24 hours a day. (3) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state how many hours a doctor is available on-site in a 24-hour period and whether the doctor is not available 24 hours a day on-site. (4) What answers is the minister preparing to give and offer the Allan family, other than his dismissive comment that as a general practitioner he would not want to be called for every patient with fever and vomiting like their son? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(3) For each country hospital with an emergency department, please state how many hours a doctor is available on-site in a 24-hour period and whether the doctor is not available 24 hours a day on-site. (4) What answers is the minister preparing to give and offer the Allan family, other than his dismissive comment that as a general practitioner he would not want to be called for every patient with fever and vomiting like their son? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(4) What answers is the minister preparing to give and offer the Allan family, other than his dismissive comment that as a general practitioner he would not want to be called for every patient with fever and vomiting like their son? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
For a start, in answer to the last comment, I did not say that. I will answer the questions as presented, because the fourth part was not on the list presented, and I thank the member for some notice. The response is as follows — (1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(1) The Western Australian Country Health Service has salaried doctors who staff the six regional resource centres, which are hospitals in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and Port Hedland. Busselton Regional Hospital has a doctor available on-site 24 hours a day. Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
Mr P.B. Watson : Minister, are they fly in, fly out? Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
Dr K.D. HAMES : That was not part of the question. I continue. (2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(2) These regional resource centres support a network of 15 integrated district health centres, which are smaller hospitals of between 20 and 40 beds and which provide a range of health services including emergency services. These hospitals are supported by visiting medical practitioners who provide medical cover on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a minimum, a doctor credentialled to provide emergency services is required to be on call at any one time. Another 50 small hospitals of around six beds provide one or two acute-care patient and/or residential aged-care services. These small hospitals have differing arrangements but generally are supported by local doctors who share an on-call roster in their area. (3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
(3)–(4) Hospitals at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Meekatharra and Nickol Bay have doctors available from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. Hospitals at Northam, Merredin, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have on-site doctors during working hours—that is, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm—and doctors on call out of hours. I will table this response, as it contains a list of the 15 integrated district health centres, which are Busselton, Carnarvon, Collie, Derby, Esperance, Katanning, Kununurra, Margaret River, Merredin, Morawa—I presume, as there is a typo there—Narrogin, Northam, Newman, Nickol Bay and Warren. I will not read out the list of the smaller hospitals but there are 49 of them. [See paper 2542.]
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