Question regarding the lack of consultation with the quarantine oversight panel regarding a significant decision related to Healthcare Australia's hotel quarantine contract. The Minister defends the decision as a commonsense solution to ensure adequate healthcare workforce availability.

AnsweredQoN 157Legislative Assembly
Asked
1 June 2021
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

CORONAVIRUS — HOTEL QUARANTINE CONTRACT —
HEALTHCARE AUSTRALIA
157. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question.
Noting that the stated purpose of the panel is to provide strategic oversight
of the management of WA's quarantine arrangements, why has such a significant
decision been made without seeking its input and advice, and when will the
panel meet?

AnswerView source ↗

It is not correct to say that it
provides strategic oversight. It is correct to say that it provides ongoing
advice to the oversight team. This is a commonsense
solution to make sure that we have the workforce available for our healthcare teams. I would have thought that the priority of our health system would be
self-evident, Leader of the Opposition. Obviously,
this is a good way to continue to make sure that we have as many nurses and
doctors as possible available to our
health system. It is a reasonable step to take, and it is one that in no way
compromises the activities or the great quality of care provided in
those hotels, but it does make sure that we can have everyone available to work
in our health system.

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