Mr. Ripper questions Dr. Hames about paediatric and ultrasound waitlists in Karratha and PMH. Dr. Hames responds by highlighting investments made in Karratha's health services and questions why Mr. Ripper didn't contact him directly.

AnsweredQoN 59Legislative Assembly
Asked
10 March 2010
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

PAEDIATRIC SERVICES — KARRATHA
I have a supplementary question. Why has the minister not addressed the questions about waitlists in Karratha for paediatric and ultrasound services and waitlists to attend a paediatrician at PMH? Why has the minister not addressed those issues, which are not related just to this case? Dr K.D. HAMES

AnswerView source ↗

As we came in to the election we found there was a significant dearth of services and provision of services in Karratha. We worked very hard in fact to see that we committed a significant amount of money—$10 million in fact—which was then funded through royalties for regions, and for which I know the local member is extremely grateful, to provide an increase in services to Karratha. We are currently in the process of developing plans for significant expansion to the hospital in Karratha. I am certain that the people of Karratha will be very pleased with the services we provide. In fact we have already provided, as part of the funding, a new CT scanner in Karratha at a cost of $1.5 million, a new obstetrics service and a new ultrasound machine in Wickham. We are spending a huge amount of money; a $38 million package of infrastructure funding that has come through royalties for regions for a range of infrastructure funding. If there is an individual case that needs my attention, such as the Leader of the Opposition referred to, then he needs to do what so many other members have done on his side. In fact not only that, but when we were in opposition I would do that to the former minister. If I had a case that needed sorting out urgently, I would be on the phone the next minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will you act on this question or not? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s question and he can answer mine. The answer is, yes, I will. The question I have for the Leader of the Opposition is: why did he not phone to me to sort out this matter the instant that he got that information? He knows damn well, as do other members opposite, that I would have sorted it out.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: As we came in to the election we found there was a significant dearth of services and provision of services in Karratha. We worked very hard in fact to see that we committed a significant amount of money—$10 million in fact—which was then funded through royalties for regions, and for which I know the local member is extremely grateful, to provide an increase in services to Karratha. We are currently in the process of developing plans for significant expansion to the hospital in Karratha. I am certain that the people of Karratha will be very pleased with the services we provide. In fact we have already provided, as part of the funding, a new CT scanner in Karratha at a cost of $1.5 million, a new obstetrics service and a new ultrasound machine in Wickham. We are spending a huge amount of money; a $38 million package of infrastructure funding that has come through royalties for regions for a range of infrastructure funding. If there is an individual case that needs my attention, such as the Leader of the Opposition referred to, then he needs to do what so many other members have done on his side. In fact not only that, but when we were in opposition I would do that to the former minister. If I had a case that needed sorting out urgently, I would be on the phone the next minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will you act on this question or not? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s question and he can answer mine. The answer is, yes, I will. The question I have for the Leader of the Opposition is: why did he not phone to me to sort out this matter the instant that he got that information? He knows damn well, as do other members opposite, that I would have sorted it out.
As we came in to the election we found there was a significant dearth of services and provision of services in Karratha. We worked very hard in fact to see that we committed a significant amount of money—$10 million in fact—which was then funded through royalties for regions, and for which I know the local member is extremely grateful, to provide an increase in services to Karratha. We are currently in the process of developing plans for significant expansion to the hospital in Karratha. I am certain that the people of Karratha will be very pleased with the services we provide. In fact we have already provided, as part of the funding, a new CT scanner in Karratha at a cost of $1.5 million, a new obstetrics service and a new ultrasound machine in Wickham. We are spending a huge amount of money; a $38 million package of infrastructure funding that has come through royalties for regions for a range of infrastructure funding. If there is an individual case that needs my attention, such as the Leader of the Opposition referred to, then he needs to do what so many other members have done on his side. In fact not only that, but when we were in opposition I would do that to the former minister. If I had a case that needed sorting out urgently, I would be on the phone the next minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will you act on this question or not? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s question and he can answer mine. The answer is, yes, I will. The question I have for the Leader of the Opposition is: why did he not phone to me to sort out this matter the instant that he got that information? He knows damn well, as do other members opposite, that I would have sorted it out.
If there is an individual case that needs my attention, such as the Leader of the Opposition referred to, then he needs to do what so many other members have done on his side. In fact not only that, but when we were in opposition I would do that to the former minister. If I had a case that needed sorting out urgently, I would be on the phone the next minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will you act on this question or not? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s question and he can answer mine. The answer is, yes, I will. The question I have for the Leader of the Opposition is: why did he not phone to me to sort out this matter the instant that he got that information? He knows damn well, as do other members opposite, that I would have sorted it out.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Will you act on this question or not? Dr K.D. HAMES : I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s question and he can answer mine. The answer is, yes, I will. The question I have for the Leader of the Opposition is: why did he not phone to me to sort out this matter the instant that he got that information? He knows damn well, as do other members opposite, that I would have sorted it out.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s question and he can answer mine. The answer is, yes, I will. The question I have for the Leader of the Opposition is: why did he not phone to me to sort out this matter the instant that he got that information? He knows damn well, as do other members opposite, that I would have sorted it out.

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