❓ A parliamentary question addresses the lack of a second senior consultant physician in the Kimberley region, inquiring about funding commitments, a misplaced business case, and a commitment to fund the position. The Minister acknowledges the need but defers to ongoing reviews.
AnsweredQoN 1224Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
KIMBERLEY CONSULTANT PHYSICIANS
I refer to the senior consultant physician in the Kimberley, Dr Jaye Martin, and the need for a second senior consultant in the region. (1) Can the minister confirm that Dr Martin is the only physician providing senior consultant services across the entire region? (2) Can the minister confirm that commitments were made to Dr Martin that funding would be made available for the second physician when that person resigned? (3) Can the minister confirm a business case for the second position was, in fact, misplaced after it was prepared? (4) Has the minister considered the current business case? (5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER
I refer to the senior consultant physician in the Kimberley, Dr Jaye Martin, and the need for a second senior consultant in the region. (1) Can the minister confirm that Dr Martin is the only physician providing senior consultant services across the entire region? (2) Can the minister confirm that commitments were made to Dr Martin that funding would be made available for the second physician when that person resigned? (3) Can the minister confirm a business case for the second position was, in fact, misplaced after it was prepared? (4) Has the minister considered the current business case? (5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER
AnswerView source ↗
I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(1) Can the minister confirm that Dr Martin is the only physician providing senior consultant services across the entire region? (2) Can the minister confirm that commitments were made to Dr Martin that funding would be made available for the second physician when that person resigned? (3) Can the minister confirm a business case for the second position was, in fact, misplaced after it was prepared? (4) Has the minister considered the current business case? (5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(2) Can the minister confirm that commitments were made to Dr Martin that funding would be made available for the second physician when that person resigned? (3) Can the minister confirm a business case for the second position was, in fact, misplaced after it was prepared? (4) Has the minister considered the current business case? (5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(3) Can the minister confirm a business case for the second position was, in fact, misplaced after it was prepared? (4) Has the minister considered the current business case? (5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(4) Has the minister considered the current business case? (5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(1) Can the minister confirm that Dr Martin is the only physician providing senior consultant services across the entire region? (2) Can the minister confirm that commitments were made to Dr Martin that funding would be made available for the second physician when that person resigned? (3) Can the minister confirm a business case for the second position was, in fact, misplaced after it was prepared? (4) Has the minister considered the current business case? (5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(2) Can the minister confirm that commitments were made to Dr Martin that funding would be made available for the second physician when that person resigned? (3) Can the minister confirm a business case for the second position was, in fact, misplaced after it was prepared? (4) Has the minister considered the current business case? (5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(3) Can the minister confirm a business case for the second position was, in fact, misplaced after it was prepared? (4) Has the minister considered the current business case? (5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(4) Has the minister considered the current business case? (5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(5) Will the minister give a commitment to fund the second physician position; and, if not, why not? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
I answer on behalf of Hon Simon O’Brien. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(1) Yes. (2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(2) Since the resignation of a second physician in July 2006, no formal commitments have been identified by the WA County Health Service in relation to funding a second physician position. However, the need to strengthen clinical services in the Kimberley has been recognised as a priority. (3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(3) No. (4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
(4)-(5) The need for a second physician is currently being considered by the Aboriginal Health Planning Forum and WACHS. Operational and planning issues are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of WACHS and he has undertaken to finalise consideration of the current business case by the end of December 2009.
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