❓ A parliamentary question addresses the closure of beds and staff reductions at Albany Regional Hospital, questioning the government's commitment to regional healthcare access. The Minister responds by highlighting an upcoming health services review and planned upgrades to regional hospitals.
AnsweredQoN 88Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to his Government’s pre-election statement that for people living in regional Western Australia, the issue of access is critical: access to a general practitioner, a public hospital bed, specialist treatment and other health care services. (1) How does the minister reconcile this statement with the closure of 10 beds at Albany Regional Hospital since December last year and the subsequent removal of four nursing staff? (2) Will the minister guarantee that there will be no winter bed shortages or cuts to elective surgery as a result of this reduction in health services? (3) Will the minister follow the lead of the Liberal Party and commit to a full upgrade of Albany Regional Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
(1) How does the minister reconcile this statement with the closure of 10 beds at Albany Regional Hospital since December last year and the subsequent removal of four nursing staff? (2) Will the minister guarantee that there will be no winter bed shortages or cuts to elective surgery as a result of this reduction in health services? (3) Will the minister follow the lead of the Liberal Party and commit to a full upgrade of Albany Regional Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
(2) Will the minister guarantee that there will be no winter bed shortages or cuts to elective surgery as a result of this reduction in health services? (3) Will the minister follow the lead of the Liberal Party and commit to a full upgrade of Albany Regional Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
(3) Will the minister follow the lead of the Liberal Party and commit to a full upgrade of Albany Regional Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
(1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
(1) How does the minister reconcile this statement with the closure of 10 beds at Albany Regional Hospital since December last year and the subsequent removal of four nursing staff? (2) Will the minister guarantee that there will be no winter bed shortages or cuts to elective surgery as a result of this reduction in health services? (3) Will the minister follow the lead of the Liberal Party and commit to a full upgrade of Albany Regional Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
(2) Will the minister guarantee that there will be no winter bed shortages or cuts to elective surgery as a result of this reduction in health services? (3) Will the minister follow the lead of the Liberal Party and commit to a full upgrade of Albany Regional Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
(3) Will the minister follow the lead of the Liberal Party and commit to a full upgrade of Albany Regional Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
(1)-(3) Next Monday we will be releasing for consideration by the public the review of Western Australia’s health services by Professor Mick Reid. For the first time in living memory, it will provide both the Department of Health and the public of Western Australia with a concrete plan for the way in which our health services will be delivered to future generations. One of the key recommendations affects regional Western Australia; that is, a significant upgrading of key regional hospitals, such as that here at Albany, and also at Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland and other places throughout the State. That is designed to make sure that health services are provided to the people where they live, so that people from this region can come to Albany and expect a very significant array of services - a greater array of health care services than they currently experience. The importance of the Reid review is simply that it will provide a plan for the future and a framework within which money can be allocated and decisions can be made, rather than the ad hoc decisions that have been made by people in the past in a most incoherent, uncoordinated way when they have thought they might have a vote or two to gain. The people will know how health services will be delivered into the future; they do not know that at the moment. First, we will have a plan, and we will set about implementing that plan so that people will know exactly how those health services will be provided. Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities. Mr A.J. Carpenter: Congratulations! Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
Let me speak specifically about Albany Regional Hospital. It is a magnificent hospital, and I believe those people who knock it are being mischievous. Yesterday I opened a new paediatric ward. It is comparable with, if not better than, anything else offered in any hospital in the State for the treatment of the children of the region. We have also opened other new facilities.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Minister for Education and Training very much. We are seeing a significant upgrading of a hospital that, unfortunately, was rejected and neglected by the previous Government. In the future, even more will be provided to people in the regions so that health care can be provided close to home. That will also result in a significant increase in the number of beds provided at the hospital.
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