Mr. Cook questions the Minister for Health's ability to manage the health budget and patient needs, given the abandonment of efforts to meet the national efficient price. The Minister defends the government's health spending in light of budget pressures.

AnsweredQoN 303Legislative Assembly
Asked
17 May 2016
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

PAEDIATRIC SERVICES — DOCTORS
303. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for
Health:
I have a supplementary question.
Given that the minister has now abandoned any effort to meet the national
efficient price, why should Western Australians have any faith that the
minister can effectively manage the health budget and look after patients'
needs?

AnswerView source ↗

In that question the member seems to
be perhaps showing a little degree of understanding of the pressures that are
applied to the overall state budget as a result of the growth in the health
budget. Indeed, there has been substantial further growth this year of 4.8 per cent
to take the recurrent expenditure up to $8.6 billion—a very substantial
commitment by this government in difficult financial circumstances. We are
ensuring that services are provided appropriately, where possible closer to
where people are living, and also seeking to manage expenditure on the health
system in a sustainable manner.

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