❓ Hon Adele Farina questions the Minister for Health regarding Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) response times, particularly concerning a case at Margaret River Hospital. The response outlines RFDS triage processes, inter-agency coordination, and contract compliance monitoring.
AnsweredQoN 104Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE — RESPONSE
TIMES
104. Hon ADELE FARINA to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to an incident at Margaret
River Hospital in which a seriously ill patient was required to be transported
to a Perth hospital. The Royal Flying Doctor Service accepted the request
and/or order for urgent transport of the patient to Perth, but several hours
later was unable to say when it would be able to effect the transfer.
(1) How long is a
reasonable length of time to wait for the Royal Flying Doctor Service to pick
up a seriously ill patient?
(2) Is there an
obligation on the Royal Flying Doctor Service, if it is unable to pick up a seriously
ill patient within a reasonable time, to refer the request to the RAC rescue
helicopter or to St John Ambulance?
(3) If yes to (2), what is
considered a reasonable time?
(4) What checks
are in place to ensure the Royal Flying Doctor Service is adhering to this
requirement?
TIMES
104. Hon ADELE FARINA to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to an incident at Margaret
River Hospital in which a seriously ill patient was required to be transported
to a Perth hospital. The Royal Flying Doctor Service accepted the request
and/or order for urgent transport of the patient to Perth, but several hours
later was unable to say when it would be able to effect the transfer.
(1) How long is a
reasonable length of time to wait for the Royal Flying Doctor Service to pick
up a seriously ill patient?
(2) Is there an
obligation on the Royal Flying Doctor Service, if it is unable to pick up a seriously
ill patient within a reasonable time, to refer the request to the RAC rescue
helicopter or to St John Ambulance?
(3) If yes to (2), what is
considered a reasonable time?
(4) What checks
are in place to ensure the Royal Flying Doctor Service is adhering to this
requirement?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health, I thank the member for some
notice of the question.
(1) The current
WA Country Health Service contract with the Royal Flying Doctor Service
outlines target contract response times for patient transfers. All patients are
assessed by the RFDS individually, based on clinical circumstance and the
referring hospital's ability to provide care, and are then prioritised
accordingly. The RFDS dispatch the first available aircraft and crew based on
its clinical triage assessment of each patient. Actual response times vary
depending on this assessment. The RFDS and the WA Country Health Service staff
meet regularly to discuss contract and performance issues, including actions
that might be taken to improve response times.
(2) The RFDS
communicates 24 hours a day, seven days a week with other agencies, including
St John Ambulance, WA Police and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services,
to coordinate and facilitate patient transfer statewide. When the RFDS
determines that it is unable to respond within a clinically appropriate time
frame, it works with other agencies to coordinate alternative transport
arrangements.
(3) The RFDS will
assess each patient based on individual clinical need and provide the earliest
transfer possible based on clinical prioritisation, referring hospital,
capability and other agency availability—for example, the RAC
helicopter.
(4) The RFDS
liaises with local WA Country Health Service facilities in real time to ensure
all transport options are explored and that the best possible clinical outcome
for the patient is achieved. The RFDS is required to provide data on compliance
with target contract response times as stipulated in its contract.
secretary representing the Minister for Health, I thank the member for some
notice of the question.
(1) The current
WA Country Health Service contract with the Royal Flying Doctor Service
outlines target contract response times for patient transfers. All patients are
assessed by the RFDS individually, based on clinical circumstance and the
referring hospital's ability to provide care, and are then prioritised
accordingly. The RFDS dispatch the first available aircraft and crew based on
its clinical triage assessment of each patient. Actual response times vary
depending on this assessment. The RFDS and the WA Country Health Service staff
meet regularly to discuss contract and performance issues, including actions
that might be taken to improve response times.
(2) The RFDS
communicates 24 hours a day, seven days a week with other agencies, including
St John Ambulance, WA Police and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services,
to coordinate and facilitate patient transfer statewide. When the RFDS
determines that it is unable to respond within a clinically appropriate time
frame, it works with other agencies to coordinate alternative transport
arrangements.
(3) The RFDS will
assess each patient based on individual clinical need and provide the earliest
transfer possible based on clinical prioritisation, referring hospital,
capability and other agency availability—for example, the RAC
helicopter.
(4) The RFDS
liaises with local WA Country Health Service facilities in real time to ensure
all transport options are explored and that the best possible clinical outcome
for the patient is achieved. The RFDS is required to provide data on compliance
with target contract response times as stipulated in its contract.
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