❓ Hon. Shelley Archer raises concerns about the potential closure of Dakas Street Medical Centre in Broome and its impact on healthcare services and staffing. Hon. Sue Ellery responds, clarifying the roles of state and commonwealth governments in addressing the issue.
AnsweredQoN 544Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DAKAS STREET MEDICAL CENTRE, BROOME — CLOSURE
I refer to the possible closure of the Dakas Street Medical Centre, which is one of the main medical centres in Broome. (1) Is the government aware that Dakas Street Medical Centre employs three doctors, three nurses and a practice manager and that the region is at risk of losing these skilled people if the clinic closes? (2) Is the government providing any assistance to ensure the retention of these professional people in the region? (3) If no to (2), what assistance will the government provide? (4) Can the minister advise how the existing Broome health services will absorb the thousands of active patients on file at the medical clinic if it closes? (5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY
I refer to the possible closure of the Dakas Street Medical Centre, which is one of the main medical centres in Broome. (1) Is the government aware that Dakas Street Medical Centre employs three doctors, three nurses and a practice manager and that the region is at risk of losing these skilled people if the clinic closes? (2) Is the government providing any assistance to ensure the retention of these professional people in the region? (3) If no to (2), what assistance will the government provide? (4) Can the minister advise how the existing Broome health services will absorb the thousands of active patients on file at the medical clinic if it closes? (5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(1) Is the government aware that Dakas Street Medical Centre employs three doctors, three nurses and a practice manager and that the region is at risk of losing these skilled people if the clinic closes? (2) Is the government providing any assistance to ensure the retention of these professional people in the region? (3) If no to (2), what assistance will the government provide? (4) Can the minister advise how the existing Broome health services will absorb the thousands of active patients on file at the medical clinic if it closes? (5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(2) Is the government providing any assistance to ensure the retention of these professional people in the region? (3) If no to (2), what assistance will the government provide? (4) Can the minister advise how the existing Broome health services will absorb the thousands of active patients on file at the medical clinic if it closes? (5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(3) If no to (2), what assistance will the government provide? (4) Can the minister advise how the existing Broome health services will absorb the thousands of active patients on file at the medical clinic if it closes? (5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(4) Can the minister advise how the existing Broome health services will absorb the thousands of active patients on file at the medical clinic if it closes? (5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(1) Is the government aware that Dakas Street Medical Centre employs three doctors, three nurses and a practice manager and that the region is at risk of losing these skilled people if the clinic closes? (2) Is the government providing any assistance to ensure the retention of these professional people in the region? (3) If no to (2), what assistance will the government provide? (4) Can the minister advise how the existing Broome health services will absorb the thousands of active patients on file at the medical clinic if it closes? (5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(2) Is the government providing any assistance to ensure the retention of these professional people in the region? (3) If no to (2), what assistance will the government provide? (4) Can the minister advise how the existing Broome health services will absorb the thousands of active patients on file at the medical clinic if it closes? (5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(3) If no to (2), what assistance will the government provide? (4) Can the minister advise how the existing Broome health services will absorb the thousands of active patients on file at the medical clinic if it closes? (5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(4) Can the minister advise how the existing Broome health services will absorb the thousands of active patients on file at the medical clinic if it closes? (5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(5) Should Dakas Street Medical Centre close, does the minister expect that Broome District Hospital would see an increase in clients? (6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(6) If yes to (4), what additional resources would be provided to Broome District Hospital to ensure that adequate services are provided to meet the increase? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(1) Dakas Street Medical Centre is a private general practice and its employees are subject to private employment contracts. The owners of the clinic have advised the Department of Health that they intend to close the centre unless other arrangements can be made for the ongoing operation of the practice. (2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(2)-(3) The provision of general practice services is a commonwealth government responsibility and assistance is available through the commonwealth government. Should any of the staff at the Dakas Street Medical Centre be available for employment, they can apply for vacant positions within the WA Country Health Service. (4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
(4)-(6) Broome health services will continue to allocate resources to meet the priority needs of the community. Should the private practice close, it is expected that the majority of patients will continue to access services from the other private general practices in the town.
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