❓ Opposition Leader Mark McGowan questions the Premier about funding for an additional floor at the new Perth Children's Hospital, citing community demand. The Premier defends the current design and bed capacity, stating no discussions have occurred with the federal government regarding additional floors.
AnsweredQoN 719Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL — CAPACITY
719. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I refer to the overwhelming community demand for an
additional floor on the new Perth Children's Hospital.
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I
refer to the overwhelming community demand for an additional floor on the new
Perth Children's Hospital.
Mr T.R. Buswell :
Gaga.
The SPEAKER :
Treasurer!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I
ask —
(1) Has the
Premier had discussions with the business community or federal government to
secure funding on a shared basis for such a floor?
(2) If yes to (1), what was the nature of those discussions?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
719. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I refer to the overwhelming community demand for an
additional floor on the new Perth Children's Hospital.
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I
refer to the overwhelming community demand for an additional floor on the new
Perth Children's Hospital.
Mr T.R. Buswell :
Gaga.
The SPEAKER :
Treasurer!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I
ask —
(1) Has the
Premier had discussions with the business community or federal government to
secure funding on a shared basis for such a floor?
(2) If yes to (1), what was the nature of those discussions?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
The issue of the additional floor on the new Perth Children's Hospital
has been asked and answered several times in this chamber. I again say that we
have added a further 48 beds. The central core can have a further four levels
attached to it, adding 48 plus 48 plus 48 plus 48 beds. As the Minister for
Health has said, eventually, when the women's hospital is alongside the
children's hospital, 24 early-birth children will effectively go to the
women's hospital instead of the children's hospital. That
decision was taken after re-examining all the facts and forecasts and also
after recognising that additional paediatric beds and wards will go into
metropolitan hospitals. That is the reason we made the decision. I am confident
that it is the right decision. The hospital has been designed for growth. Other
hospitals that are being built now are also designed for more child health
care.
I have not discussed an extra
floor with the federal government. I am not sure whether the Minister for
Health has, but he tells me that he has not. There has been no discussion
between the state and the commonwealth relating to an additional floor that I
am aware of. That is something that I certainly have not raised and I do not
intend to.
The issue of the additional floor on the new Perth Children's Hospital
has been asked and answered several times in this chamber. I again say that we
have added a further 48 beds. The central core can have a further four levels
attached to it, adding 48 plus 48 plus 48 plus 48 beds. As the Minister for
Health has said, eventually, when the women's hospital is alongside the
children's hospital, 24 early-birth children will effectively go to the
women's hospital instead of the children's hospital. That
decision was taken after re-examining all the facts and forecasts and also
after recognising that additional paediatric beds and wards will go into
metropolitan hospitals. That is the reason we made the decision. I am confident
that it is the right decision. The hospital has been designed for growth. Other
hospitals that are being built now are also designed for more child health
care.
I have not discussed an extra
floor with the federal government. I am not sure whether the Minister for
Health has, but he tells me that he has not. There has been no discussion
between the state and the commonwealth relating to an additional floor that I
am aware of. That is something that I certainly have not raised and I do not
intend to.
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