❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the delay in the construction of a new dental clinic in Bunbury, inquiring about site changes, timelines, staffing, and patient access. The Minister responds with updates on the new location, construction timeline, patient numbers, staffing strategies, and waiting list details.
AnsweredQoN 387Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the announcement in November 2004 regarding funding for a new Dental Clinic in Bunbury and the approval of a site in Plaza Street for this facility, and ask, why, after the election in February 2005, the approval for the chosen site was withdrawn?
(2) When will another suitable site be chosen so that construction can begin?
(3) What is the cause of the delays in this process?
(4) Will the Minister provide a time frame as to when the new dental clinic will be operational?
(5) How many eligible patients currently have access to the Bunbury Dental Clinic?
(6) What is the correct staff/patient ratio?
(7) How many patients are currently on the waiting list?
(8) What steps has the Minister taken to recruit and keep more dentists for the Bunbury Dental Clinic?
(2) When will another suitable site be chosen so that construction can begin?
(3) What is the cause of the delays in this process?
(4) Will the Minister provide a time frame as to when the new dental clinic will be operational?
(5) How many eligible patients currently have access to the Bunbury Dental Clinic?
(6) What is the correct staff/patient ratio?
(7) How many patients are currently on the waiting list?
(8) What steps has the Minister taken to recruit and keep more dentists for the Bunbury Dental Clinic?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 September 2005
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
20 days
(2) The new Dental clinic in Bunbury will be located at the SW Health Campus. The SW Health campus is a dedicated health campus with a full range of health services. The location of Dental Services at the campus will compliment existing services. (3) There are no delays in the process. (4) Construction is expected to commence June 2006, with an anticipated completion date at February 2007. (5) Approximately 16,000. (6) There is no "correct" staff/patient ratio. There are many factors which determine the number of dentists required. These include the demand for treatment, practitioner output, waiting times and the support from private practices. (7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(3) There are no delays in the process. (4) Construction is expected to commence June 2006, with an anticipated completion date at February 2007. (5) Approximately 16,000. (6) There is no "correct" staff/patient ratio. There are many factors which determine the number of dentists required. These include the demand for treatment, practitioner output, waiting times and the support from private practices. (7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(4) Construction is expected to commence June 2006, with an anticipated completion date at February 2007. (5) Approximately 16,000. (6) There is no "correct" staff/patient ratio. There are many factors which determine the number of dentists required. These include the demand for treatment, practitioner output, waiting times and the support from private practices. (7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(5) Approximately 16,000. (6) There is no "correct" staff/patient ratio. There are many factors which determine the number of dentists required. These include the demand for treatment, practitioner output, waiting times and the support from private practices. (7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(6) There is no "correct" staff/patient ratio. There are many factors which determine the number of dentists required. These include the demand for treatment, practitioner output, waiting times and the support from private practices. (7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(3) There are no delays in the process. (4) Construction is expected to commence June 2006, with an anticipated completion date at February 2007. (5) Approximately 16,000. (6) There is no "correct" staff/patient ratio. There are many factors which determine the number of dentists required. These include the demand for treatment, practitioner output, waiting times and the support from private practices. (7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(4) Construction is expected to commence June 2006, with an anticipated completion date at February 2007. (5) Approximately 16,000. (6) There is no "correct" staff/patient ratio. There are many factors which determine the number of dentists required. These include the demand for treatment, practitioner output, waiting times and the support from private practices. (7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(5) Approximately 16,000. (6) There is no "correct" staff/patient ratio. There are many factors which determine the number of dentists required. These include the demand for treatment, practitioner output, waiting times and the support from private practices. (7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(6) There is no "correct" staff/patient ratio. There are many factors which determine the number of dentists required. These include the demand for treatment, practitioner output, waiting times and the support from private practices. (7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(7) At 31 July 2005, there were 2,500 people on the waiting list. Of these, 2,084 were waiting for an examination. (8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
(8) The Minister supported the instigation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme by the Australian Health Ministers Conference in November 2003. The scheme allows certain overseas trained dentists to be employed in country areas and later proceed to taking the clinical examination of the Australian Dental Council. Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
Secondly, the Minister approved an attraction and retention allowance for dentists to maintain parity between public dentist salaries in Western Australia and other States and Territories. An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
An international recruiting program has been initiated with the recruitment of 14 dentists to rural Western Australia, of whom 8 have arrived and are providing services. 2 of those who are yet to arrive have been specifically recruited for Bunbury. One is expected in mid September and the other in early October.
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