Dr Hames questions the Health Minister about unspent funds from a $39 million allocation for extra hospital beds, given that only half the beds have opened. The Minister admits he doesn't have the figures immediately available and promises to provide them later that day.

AnsweredQoN 413Legislative Assembly
Asked
24 August 2005
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the minister’s statement on 1 June about a $39 million allocation to fund up to 221 extra beds in Perth hospitals to meet the winter demand and his admission last week that only half the beds have opened due to low demand and a lack of available staff. (1) How much of the $39 million remains unspent? (2) Of the remaining amount, how much has been reallocated and for what purpose? Mr J.A. McGINTY

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(2) I have had insufficient time to obtain a comprehensive response from the Department of Health. I will obtain that information this afternoon and pass it on to the member for Dawesville. I wanted to deal with this question because the funding was for not only beds, but also a host of other initiatives to reduce the demand on emergency departments. Part of that funding was to acquire beds in the private sector, particularly Joondalup Private Hospital. That was not included in the figure given; therefore, the number of beds that have been opened is significantly more than half of 221. I ask the member to bear with me and I apologise for not having the answer at my fingertips. I will provide the information to the member for Dawesville later today.
(1) How much of the $39 million remains unspent? (2) Of the remaining amount, how much has been reallocated and for what purpose? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) I have had insufficient time to obtain a comprehensive response from the Department of Health. I will obtain that information this afternoon and pass it on to the member for Dawesville. I wanted to deal with this question because the funding was for not only beds, but also a host of other initiatives to reduce the demand on emergency departments. Part of that funding was to acquire beds in the private sector, particularly Joondalup Private Hospital. That was not included in the figure given; therefore, the number of beds that have been opened is significantly more than half of 221. I ask the member to bear with me and I apologise for not having the answer at my fingertips. I will provide the information to the member for Dawesville later today.
(2) Of the remaining amount, how much has been reallocated and for what purpose? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) I have had insufficient time to obtain a comprehensive response from the Department of Health. I will obtain that information this afternoon and pass it on to the member for Dawesville. I wanted to deal with this question because the funding was for not only beds, but also a host of other initiatives to reduce the demand on emergency departments. Part of that funding was to acquire beds in the private sector, particularly Joondalup Private Hospital. That was not included in the figure given; therefore, the number of beds that have been opened is significantly more than half of 221. I ask the member to bear with me and I apologise for not having the answer at my fingertips. I will provide the information to the member for Dawesville later today.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) I have had insufficient time to obtain a comprehensive response from the Department of Health. I will obtain that information this afternoon and pass it on to the member for Dawesville. I wanted to deal with this question because the funding was for not only beds, but also a host of other initiatives to reduce the demand on emergency departments. Part of that funding was to acquire beds in the private sector, particularly Joondalup Private Hospital. That was not included in the figure given; therefore, the number of beds that have been opened is significantly more than half of 221. I ask the member to bear with me and I apologise for not having the answer at my fingertips. I will provide the information to the member for Dawesville later today.
(1)-(2) I have had insufficient time to obtain a comprehensive response from the Department of Health. I will obtain that information this afternoon and pass it on to the member for Dawesville. I wanted to deal with this question because the funding was for not only beds, but also a host of other initiatives to reduce the demand on emergency departments. Part of that funding was to acquire beds in the private sector, particularly Joondalup Private Hospital. That was not included in the figure given; therefore, the number of beds that have been opened is significantly more than half of 221. I ask the member to bear with me and I apologise for not having the answer at my fingertips. I will provide the information to the member for Dawesville later today.

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