❓ A parliamentary question regarding a potential real budget reduction for Western Australian country health services, with the Minister disputing the figures and offering a briefing. The exchange reveals conflicting data on health expenditure growth.
AnsweredQoN 573Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
The Health Reform Committee reported that growth in health expenditure has averaged 8.5 per cent per annum. Given that the budget of Western Australian country health services has increased by only three per cent between 2003-04 and 2004-05, the implication is that the country health services are facing a real budget reduction this financial year of approximately five per cent, or $22 million. (1) Will the minister confirm that he requires Western Australian country health services and the South West Area Health Service to deliver a similar range of services in 2004-05 as in 2003-04 but on a reduced real budget? (2) Will the minister confirm that meeting service delivery targets on a reduced real budget will most likely be achieved through a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent positions? (3) Will the minister apply the same expectation to the metropolitan health services; that is, to reduce staff numbers to maintain services? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
(1) Will the minister confirm that he requires Western Australian country health services and the South West Area Health Service to deliver a similar range of services in 2004-05 as in 2003-04 but on a reduced real budget? (2) Will the minister confirm that meeting service delivery targets on a reduced real budget will most likely be achieved through a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent positions? (3) Will the minister apply the same expectation to the metropolitan health services; that is, to reduce staff numbers to maintain services? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
(2) Will the minister confirm that meeting service delivery targets on a reduced real budget will most likely be achieved through a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent positions? (3) Will the minister apply the same expectation to the metropolitan health services; that is, to reduce staff numbers to maintain services? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
(3) Will the minister apply the same expectation to the metropolitan health services; that is, to reduce staff numbers to maintain services? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
(1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
(1) Will the minister confirm that he requires Western Australian country health services and the South West Area Health Service to deliver a similar range of services in 2004-05 as in 2003-04 but on a reduced real budget? (2) Will the minister confirm that meeting service delivery targets on a reduced real budget will most likely be achieved through a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent positions? (3) Will the minister apply the same expectation to the metropolitan health services; that is, to reduce staff numbers to maintain services? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
(2) Will the minister confirm that meeting service delivery targets on a reduced real budget will most likely be achieved through a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent positions? (3) Will the minister apply the same expectation to the metropolitan health services; that is, to reduce staff numbers to maintain services? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
(3) Will the minister apply the same expectation to the metropolitan health services; that is, to reduce staff numbers to maintain services? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
(1)-(3) The figures quoted by the Leader of the National Party do not sound correct to me. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: They came out of your department. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I sit down every fortnight with every budget holder of the Department of Health, including the head of the country health services, and we go through the budgetary issues. As the member will appreciate, budgetary issues in health are extremely complicated and difficult to manage unless a tight rein is kept on them. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: Your report states that the health budget grew last year by 8.5 per cent. Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: No, the member is wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: They are your own figures. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: Expenditure across the board last year in health grew by five per cent; that was the growth in expenditure over the previous year. That is why I say that I think the member’s figures are wrong. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: Is it two per cent then? Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: No. It is true that, generally speaking, the growth in health expenditure in not only the Department of Health in Western Australia but also across the board has been in the order of eight per cent in other States. Last year, compared with the previous year, health expenditure in this State grew by five per cent. That was substantially as a result of reining in the expenditure that was otherwise occurring. Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: As the minister is being very reasonable in this process, will he get the appropriate person to brief me on the situation? Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will happily do that, but I will also get the member a note today on the figures he has raised. The work we have done in allocating the budgets this year means that, for the head office and the administrative side of health, the increase that has been applied, generally speaking, as part of this year’s budget has been in the order of three per cent. However, to the deliverers of hospital services it is something in the order of five per cent. I will get the member the precise figures. If I had been given notice of this question, I would have given a more precise response. I do not think the member’s figures are correct.
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