❓ Opposition MP Kirkup criticises the government's handling of the St John Ambulance contract and treatment of ambulance officers, citing COVID-19 and ambulance ramping. The Minister defends the government's approach, highlighting the country ambulance review and the need for a sustainable and careful process.
AnsweredQoN 340Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH —
ST JOHN AMBULANCE CONTRACT
340. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question. I thank
the minister for that response. I agree with him about the rapidly changing
environment, but it has taken two years to get to a point at which the
government will just roll over for another two years. How is it fair that the
government continues to treat our career and volunteer ambulance officers with
such contempt, given the rapidly changing health environment that COVID-19 has
presented, and the historic ambulance ramping we have had under this
McGowan-led government?
ST JOHN AMBULANCE CONTRACT
340. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question. I thank
the minister for that response. I agree with him about the rapidly changing
environment, but it has taken two years to get to a point at which the
government will just roll over for another two years. How is it fair that the
government continues to treat our career and volunteer ambulance officers with
such contempt, given the rapidly changing health environment that COVID-19 has
presented, and the historic ambulance ramping we have had under this
McGowan-led government?
AnswerView source ↗
Over
the last couple of years, we have been undertaking the WA country ambulance
review. That is about protecting our volunteers, not treating them with
contempt. The importance of the country ambulance review was to make sure that
we have a more sustainable approach to the delivery of ambulance services in
our rural and regional communities. It is not treating them with contempt; on
the contrary, it is treating them with the respect they deserve, making sure
that we have a sustainable ambulance service right across the state, but in
particular making sure that country patients get the same level of care,
oversight and clinical oversight that patients in the metropolitan area take
for granted. We will not be rushed. It is a $170 million contract—a
very important contract that matters. Lives depend on it. We will do it
carefully and as well as we can in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we
will not be rushed.
the last couple of years, we have been undertaking the WA country ambulance
review. That is about protecting our volunteers, not treating them with
contempt. The importance of the country ambulance review was to make sure that
we have a more sustainable approach to the delivery of ambulance services in
our rural and regional communities. It is not treating them with contempt; on
the contrary, it is treating them with the respect they deserve, making sure
that we have a sustainable ambulance service right across the state, but in
particular making sure that country patients get the same level of care,
oversight and clinical oversight that patients in the metropolitan area take
for granted. We will not be rushed. It is a $170 million contract—a
very important contract that matters. Lives depend on it. We will do it
carefully and as well as we can in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we
will not be rushed.
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