❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses power outages impacting regional hospitals, specifically Kalgoorlie and Dongara, and the use of backup generators. The response details specific incidents and confirms backup generator availability across WACHS hospitals, but declines to provide a comprehensive list of all outages due to resource constraints.
AnsweredQoN 588Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to power outages impacting regional hospital services and I ask, for the period of 1 December 2021 to 1 March 2022 please identify any dates where: (a) the Kalgoorlie Hospital was without power; (b) back-up generators were utilised at the Kalgoorlie Hospital; (c) the Dongara Public Hospital was without power; and (d) back-up generators were utilised at the Dongara Public Hospital? (2) Did the Kalgoorlie Hospital lose power for any period on Sunday, 4 February 2022? (3) If yes to (2), which areas or hospital systems were without power, and for how long? (4) If yes to (2), why was the backup generator not utilised? (5) Will the Minister please detail any other power outages impacting WA Country Health Service operated hospitals from 1 December 2021 to 1 March 2022 including: (a) the location of the hospital; (b) the duration of the power outage; and (c) whether backup generators were utilised? (6) Will the Minister please identify any WACHS operated hospitals which do not have access to backup generators?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 May 2022
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health
Response time
9 days
(1)
(a) On 4 February 2022 there was one significant power outage that occurred. The Kalgoorlie Hospital was not without essential power during this power outage. During a power failure from the grid, Kalgoorlie Hospital has back-up generators that automatically start and supply essential power to the hospital.
(b) Back-up generators were utilised on 4 February 2022.
(c) There were power outages in Dongara town site that impacted the Dongara Eneabba Mingenew Health Service on 23 January 2022 to 25 January 2022.
(d) Back-up generators were utilised on 23 January 2022 to 25 January 2022.
(2) Yes, the Kalgoorlie Hospital lost power from the grid for approximately 7 hours.
(3) No areas of the Kalgoorlie Hospital were without essential power for the duration of the power outage. All areas have generator power providing essential electrical supply.
(4) Back-up generators were utilised.
(5) The WA Country Health Service operates 6 large regional health campuses, 15 district health campuses and 46 small hospitals, as well as supporting a further 43 health centres and nursing posts, employs over 11,000 staff. An answer to the question as stated cannot be provided because substantial resources would be diverted from delivering core business of the Agency
(6) All WACHS Hospitals have back-up generators.
(a) On 4 February 2022 there was one significant power outage that occurred. The Kalgoorlie Hospital was not without essential power during this power outage. During a power failure from the grid, Kalgoorlie Hospital has back-up generators that automatically start and supply essential power to the hospital.
(b) Back-up generators were utilised on 4 February 2022.
(c) There were power outages in Dongara town site that impacted the Dongara Eneabba Mingenew Health Service on 23 January 2022 to 25 January 2022.
(d) Back-up generators were utilised on 23 January 2022 to 25 January 2022.
(2) Yes, the Kalgoorlie Hospital lost power from the grid for approximately 7 hours.
(3) No areas of the Kalgoorlie Hospital were without essential power for the duration of the power outage. All areas have generator power providing essential electrical supply.
(4) Back-up generators were utilised.
(5) The WA Country Health Service operates 6 large regional health campuses, 15 district health campuses and 46 small hospitals, as well as supporting a further 43 health centres and nursing posts, employs over 11,000 staff. An answer to the question as stated cannot be provided because substantial resources would be diverted from delivering core business of the Agency
(6) All WACHS Hospitals have back-up generators.
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