❓ Mr. Kirkup inquires about patient transfers from Geraldton Regional Hospital to Perth in 2018, including mode of transport, sedation details, costs, mental health transfers, and return arrangements. The response provides some data but cites resource constraints for detailed sedation and cost breakdowns.
AnsweredQoN 5774Legislative Assembly
Asked
13 November 2019
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many patients were transferred from Geraldton Regional Hospital to a Perth hospital during 2018? (2) Mow many patients from (1) were transferred by: (a) Air; (b) Road vehicle; and (c) Of these, how many patients were sedated, what was the average and longest period of individual sedation, in hours? (3) What is the average cost associated with (2)(a)? (4) What is the average cost associated with (2)(b)? (5) How many patients from (1) were transferred as a result of mental health concerns? (6) Once a patient is admitted to a Perth hospital, and then released, what arrangements are put in place to return the patient back to Geraldton?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 February 2020
Response time
7 days
I am advised:
(1) 864 patient separations.
(2) Patient separations
Air (2)(a)
Road (2)(b)
Other / Unknown
783
25
56*
* The type of transport used is a non-mandatory field within the WACHS patient administration system (webPAS) resulting in some transfer types being stated as other/unknown.
(2)(c) The detail requested by the Member would require the diversion of considerable departmental resources as this information would require manual file reviews of all patients transferred including the transport provider records and the resource implications are significant.
(3) For transfers via RFDS the average cost for transfers during this period was $3659. Air transfers also occur via other means aside from RFDS. This detail would require the diversion of considerable departmental resources.
(4) For transfer via road, it is not possible for the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) to determine an average cost due to insufficient information being available in the financial datasets. This detail would require the diversion of considerable departmental resources.
(5) 96.
(6) Metropolitan hospitals arrange patient transfers back to WACHS hospitals via the WACHS Link Central Coordination Team. This ensures transport arrangements are appropriate, timely and safe. For patients returning to non-hospital accommodation, the transfer is supported and facilitated via the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme team.
(1) 864 patient separations.
(2) Patient separations
Air (2)(a)
Road (2)(b)
Other / Unknown
783
25
56*
* The type of transport used is a non-mandatory field within the WACHS patient administration system (webPAS) resulting in some transfer types being stated as other/unknown.
(2)(c) The detail requested by the Member would require the diversion of considerable departmental resources as this information would require manual file reviews of all patients transferred including the transport provider records and the resource implications are significant.
(3) For transfers via RFDS the average cost for transfers during this period was $3659. Air transfers also occur via other means aside from RFDS. This detail would require the diversion of considerable departmental resources.
(4) For transfer via road, it is not possible for the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) to determine an average cost due to insufficient information being available in the financial datasets. This detail would require the diversion of considerable departmental resources.
(5) 96.
(6) Metropolitan hospitals arrange patient transfers back to WACHS hospitals via the WACHS Link Central Coordination Team. This ensures transport arrangements are appropriate, timely and safe. For patients returning to non-hospital accommodation, the transfer is supported and facilitated via the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme team.
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