❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Minister for Health regarding doctor shortages at Northam, Merredin, Narrogin, and Katanning hospitals. The response reveals significant doctor unavailability, particularly in Katanning and Narrogin, and outlines strategies to mitigate the issue.
AnsweredQoN 2271Legislative Council
Asked
27 June 2019
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the Northam, Merredin, Narrogin and Katanning hospitals, I
ask: (a) on how many occasions
in the last 12 months at each hospital has a doctor not been rostered; (b) with respect to (a), what was the reason for the
unavailability of a doctor for each occasion; (c) with respect to (a),
on each occasion a doctor was not available to be rostered, how many ATS 1, 2
or 3 patients presented to each hospital during each period; (d) what strategy has the
WA Country Health Service put in place to avoid situations when a doctor is not available to be
rostered; (e) on how many occasions in the last 12 months at each
hospital has a doctor been rostered but unable to be contacted or unable to respond; and (f) with respect to (e),
on each occasion a doctor was not available to respond when rostered, how many
ATS 1, 2 or 3 patients presented to each hospital during each period?
ask: (a) on how many occasions
in the last 12 months at each hospital has a doctor not been rostered; (b) with respect to (a), what was the reason for the
unavailability of a doctor for each occasion; (c) with respect to (a),
on each occasion a doctor was not available to be rostered, how many ATS 1, 2
or 3 patients presented to each hospital during each period; (d) what strategy has the
WA Country Health Service put in place to avoid situations when a doctor is not available to be
rostered; (e) on how many occasions in the last 12 months at each
hospital has a doctor been rostered but unable to be contacted or unable to respond; and (f) with respect to (e),
on each occasion a doctor was not available to respond when rostered, how many
ATS 1, 2 or 3 patients presented to each hospital during each period?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 August 2019
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
Response time
9 days
I am advised:
(a) Occasions in the last 12 months where there was no doctor available to be rostered or rostered on call, for a 12 hour shift, in the Emergency Department for the reporting period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 are as follows:
Site
Number of occasions
Northam
0
Merredin
25
Narrogin
45
Katanning
104
(b) The reasons for doctor unavailability to be rostered or rostered on call include:
(c) For these occasions, the number patients scoring ATS 1, 2 and 3 presenting to each hospital was:
ATS 1
ATS 2
ATS 3
Northam
N/A
N/A
N/A
Merredin
0
8
13
Narrogin
4
45
121
Katanning
3
62
159
Note: these figures exclude instances where a doctor was rostered on to treat patients attending the emergency department who were assessed as ATS 1 and 2.
(d) Northam, Merredin, Narrogin and Katanning Hospitals have 24 hour seven day access to the Emergency Telehealth Services. In addition, the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) has the following strategies:
(e) There was one occasion at Merredin Hospital during the reporting period when a doctor was rostered and was delayed in presenting to the hospital.
(f) None.
(a) Occasions in the last 12 months where there was no doctor available to be rostered or rostered on call, for a 12 hour shift, in the Emergency Department for the reporting period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 are as follows:
Site
Number of occasions
Northam
0
Merredin
25
Narrogin
45
Katanning
104
(b) The reasons for doctor unavailability to be rostered or rostered on call include:
(c) For these occasions, the number patients scoring ATS 1, 2 and 3 presenting to each hospital was:
ATS 1
ATS 2
ATS 3
Northam
N/A
N/A
N/A
Merredin
0
8
13
Narrogin
4
45
121
Katanning
3
62
159
Note: these figures exclude instances where a doctor was rostered on to treat patients attending the emergency department who were assessed as ATS 1 and 2.
(d) Northam, Merredin, Narrogin and Katanning Hospitals have 24 hour seven day access to the Emergency Telehealth Services. In addition, the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) has the following strategies:
(e) There was one occasion at Merredin Hospital during the reporting period when a doctor was rostered and was delayed in presenting to the hospital.
(f) None.
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