❓ Hon. Kate Doust questions the Minister for Health regarding changes to interpreter services at Royal Perth and Princess Margaret Hospitals, alleging a reduction in services and replacement with agency staff. The Parliamentary Secretary denies the allegations.
AnsweredQoN 322Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HOSPITALS — INTERPRETERS
322. Hon KATE DOUST to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the heavy-handed tactic
to ease out part-time language interpreters at Royal Perth Hospital and
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children by offering only $375 worth of work per
month and employing agency personnel in their place.
(1) What is the rationale for dispensing with the services of
long-term experienced employees?
(2) What
savings have been estimated by this measure or will administration of agency
personnel make the move cost neutral?
(3) Was the
Minister for Health consulted about this measure; and, if so, can he guarantee
the same level of specialised service to patients and their families?
(4) What is
the name of the contracted company or companies that have been engaged to
provide these services?
(5) Is that
company or companies accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for
Translators and Interpreters Ltd; and, if not, why not?
322. Hon KATE DOUST to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the heavy-handed tactic
to ease out part-time language interpreters at Royal Perth Hospital and
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children by offering only $375 worth of work per
month and employing agency personnel in their place.
(1) What is the rationale for dispensing with the services of
long-term experienced employees?
(2) What
savings have been estimated by this measure or will administration of agency
personnel make the move cost neutral?
(3) Was the
Minister for Health consulted about this measure; and, if so, can he guarantee
the same level of specialised service to patients and their families?
(4) What is
the name of the contracted company or companies that have been engaged to
provide these services?
(5) Is that
company or companies accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for
Translators and Interpreters Ltd; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question.
(1) As there
were no heavy-handed tactics, the answer is not applicable. However, I inform
the member that the health services have not dispensed with the services of
long-term employees. However, casual interpreters have voluntarily resigned
from PMH.
(2)–(3) Not applicable.
(4) RPH and
PMH continue to utilise companies that are registered under the WA government
common use arrangements for interpreting and translating services.
(5) The National
Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd accredits
individuals, not an agency or company.
(1) As there
were no heavy-handed tactics, the answer is not applicable. However, I inform
the member that the health services have not dispensed with the services of
long-term employees. However, casual interpreters have voluntarily resigned
from PMH.
(2)–(3) Not applicable.
(4) RPH and
PMH continue to utilise companies that are registered under the WA government
common use arrangements for interpreting and translating services.
(5) The National
Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd accredits
individuals, not an agency or company.
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