❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about oncology service provision in the Mid West following the departure of two specialists, including waiting times, costs, and impact on patients. The Minister's response outlines current service arrangements and expenditure.
AnsweredQoN 1867Legislative Council
Asked
12 February 2019
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the article specialists pull cancer service plug, published in the Geraldton Guardian on 11 January 2019, and I ask: (a) who provides public oncology services to the Mid West following the departure of Dr Andrew Dean and Dr Martin Buck mentioned in the article; (b) what are the relevant waiting times to access oncology services in the Mid West; (c) what are the ‘series of unworkable conditions’ mentioned by Dr Dean in the article imposed by the WA Country Health Service; (d) what is the annual cost of providing public oncology services in the Mid West; and; and (e) have any patients been impacted by the transition between oncologists servicing the Mid West?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 March 2019
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
Response time
9 days
I am advised:
(a) WA Country Health Services (WACHS) Midwest contracts three oncologists, Dr Sayed Ali, Dr Bella Nguyen and Dr Chandra Diwakarla, to provide public services. The tertiary referral point for Midwest Cancer patients is Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
(b) Currently, dependent on urgency assessment of the referral, the patient could be seen by an oncologist within one week at the next scheduled oncology clinic. Patients referred to the Midwest Cancer Centre are assessed against the Optimal Care Pathway and oncologist appointments and treatment are provided in line with recommended waiting times.
(c) WACHS Midwest has not been advised the context of the “unworkable conditions” as stated by Dr Dean in the article published by the Geraldton Guardian on 11 January 2019.
(d) In 2017/18 expenditure on public oncology services was $1,603,766.
(e) WACHS Midwest has communicated changes to all patients and supported patients during the transition period. Any consumer who has expressed concern related to the change of clinician and/or recent media coverage has been supported by the Cancer Nurse Care Coordinators. There have been no formal complaints regarding the transition.
(a) WA Country Health Services (WACHS) Midwest contracts three oncologists, Dr Sayed Ali, Dr Bella Nguyen and Dr Chandra Diwakarla, to provide public services. The tertiary referral point for Midwest Cancer patients is Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
(b) Currently, dependent on urgency assessment of the referral, the patient could be seen by an oncologist within one week at the next scheduled oncology clinic. Patients referred to the Midwest Cancer Centre are assessed against the Optimal Care Pathway and oncologist appointments and treatment are provided in line with recommended waiting times.
(c) WACHS Midwest has not been advised the context of the “unworkable conditions” as stated by Dr Dean in the article published by the Geraldton Guardian on 11 January 2019.
(d) In 2017/18 expenditure on public oncology services was $1,603,766.
(e) WACHS Midwest has communicated changes to all patients and supported patients during the transition period. Any consumer who has expressed concern related to the change of clinician and/or recent media coverage has been supported by the Cancer Nurse Care Coordinators. There have been no formal complaints regarding the transition.
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