❓ Opposition raises concerns about ambulance response times and hospital capacity, questioning the adequacy of the budget to address the health system crisis. The Minister acknowledges pressures but highlights government investment and financial management.
AnsweredQoN 500Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HEALTH — 2021–22
STATE BUDGET
500. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the fact that almost one
in four priority 1 ambulance calls were not responded to within an acceptable
15 minutes last month, along with record ramping and code yellow capacity
emergencies. What assurance can the minister provide that today's
budget will immediately address the crisis facing our hospital system?
STATE BUDGET
500. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the fact that almost one
in four priority 1 ambulance calls were not responded to within an acceptable
15 minutes last month, along with record ramping and code yellow capacity
emergencies. What assurance can the minister provide that today's
budget will immediately address the crisis facing our hospital system?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
As I am sure the member will learn in a very short period, the McGowan
government budget will deliver for Western Australia, making sure that we can
utilise those twin successes: getting the state's finances under
control, and keeping the people of Western Australia and our economy safe and
growing. It is true that our ambulance
system, like all components of our health system and, indeed, every other
health system in Australia and in
many parts of the world, is under significant pressure. In 2019, we had 8 145
ambulance call-outs ; in 2021, that number grew to 9 751. That is a 20 per
cent increase over 2019. Our ambulance services, like our health and hospital services, are under
significant pressure. That pressure is associated with increased acuity of
disease as a result of the post-COVID-19 period, as well as a spike in
demand. We have the opportunity to invest heavily in our health system. We have already announced our $1.9 billion funding
package, which is not only a COVID-19 response,
but also a staff and mental health services response. The member will have the
opportunity to see what other investments we make not only in health
care, but also right across our system to make sure that Western Australia
remains a great place to live.
As I am sure the member will learn in a very short period, the McGowan
government budget will deliver for Western Australia, making sure that we can
utilise those twin successes: getting the state's finances under
control, and keeping the people of Western Australia and our economy safe and
growing. It is true that our ambulance
system, like all components of our health system and, indeed, every other
health system in Australia and in
many parts of the world, is under significant pressure. In 2019, we had 8 145
ambulance call-outs ; in 2021, that number grew to 9 751. That is a 20 per
cent increase over 2019. Our ambulance services, like our health and hospital services, are under
significant pressure. That pressure is associated with increased acuity of
disease as a result of the post-COVID-19 period, as well as a spike in
demand. We have the opportunity to invest heavily in our health system. We have already announced our $1.9 billion funding
package, which is not only a COVID-19 response,
but also a staff and mental health services response. The member will have the
opportunity to see what other investments we make not only in health
care, but also right across our system to make sure that Western Australia
remains a great place to live.
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