❓ Ms Mettam questions the Minister for Health about potential maternity infrastructure at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital following the King Edward Memorial Hospital closure. The Minister confirms consultation regarding high-risk neonates but denies plans for a new hospital.
AnsweredQoN 497Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital—Maternity services
497. Ms Libby Mettam to
the Minister for Health:
I refer to media
reports that the Department of Health is canvassing clinicians about additional
infrastructure to mitigate risks for high-risk births associated with closing
King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women and building the new women's and babies'
hospital at Murdoch.
(1) Can the minister confirm whether the
government is considering a maternity wing or other obstetric or neonatal
infrastructure at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital to support the new women's and
babies' hospital?
(2) If so, where is that decision at?
497. Ms Libby Mettam to
the Minister for Health:
I refer to media
reports that the Department of Health is canvassing clinicians about additional
infrastructure to mitigate risks for high-risk births associated with closing
King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women and building the new women's and babies'
hospital at Murdoch.
(1) Can the minister confirm whether the
government is considering a maternity wing or other obstetric or neonatal
infrastructure at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital to support the new women's and
babies' hospital?
(2) If so, where is that decision at?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank
the member for the question. This goes back some time. At the time, the
decision was made to relocate the women's and babies' hospital and build it
at Murdoch. It was an excellent decision that we are now progressing with the
Minister for Health Infrastructure. We were clear that we would also improve
access to maternity services at Osborne Park Hospital. That is part of the plan
as well, which, again, I will reiterate for the people who I represent in the
northern suburbs of Perth and for all the other members here that it is a very
well-received decision.
We have been clear that there
has been a consultation process to consider whether, as a consequence of having
the new women's and babies' hospital at Murdoch and the expanded facilities at
Osborne Park, there will be a need for some consideration of women with
high-risk neonates at the Queen Elizabeth II site. There has been ongoing
consultation about that—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
Ms Meredith Hammat: The consultation is ongoing,
member. When there is something to—
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse! Member for Vasse, you
have asked the question. The minister can respond. If you keep interjecting, you
will not get a supplementary.
Ms Meredith Hammat: Let us be clear, this is not a
consultation about a new hospital, member.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
Ms Meredith Hammat: Let us be clear, we are not
undertaking consultation about a new hospital. That is why we are building a
hospital—
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse, I am calling you for
the first time.
Ms Meredith Hammat: We are building the new women's
and babies' hospital at Murdoch. It has been terrific to join the Minister for
Health Infrastructure and the Premier to make that announcement. But there is
ongoing consultation on whether there might be a need to facilitate a small
number of high-risk neonates as part of the process.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
the member for the question. This goes back some time. At the time, the
decision was made to relocate the women's and babies' hospital and build it
at Murdoch. It was an excellent decision that we are now progressing with the
Minister for Health Infrastructure. We were clear that we would also improve
access to maternity services at Osborne Park Hospital. That is part of the plan
as well, which, again, I will reiterate for the people who I represent in the
northern suburbs of Perth and for all the other members here that it is a very
well-received decision.
We have been clear that there
has been a consultation process to consider whether, as a consequence of having
the new women's and babies' hospital at Murdoch and the expanded facilities at
Osborne Park, there will be a need for some consideration of women with
high-risk neonates at the Queen Elizabeth II site. There has been ongoing
consultation about that—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
Ms Meredith Hammat: The consultation is ongoing,
member. When there is something to—
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse! Member for Vasse, you
have asked the question. The minister can respond. If you keep interjecting, you
will not get a supplementary.
Ms Meredith Hammat: Let us be clear, this is not a
consultation about a new hospital, member.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
Ms Meredith Hammat: Let us be clear, we are not
undertaking consultation about a new hospital. That is why we are building a
hospital—
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse, I am calling you for
the first time.
Ms Meredith Hammat: We are building the new women's
and babies' hospital at Murdoch. It has been terrific to join the Minister for
Health Infrastructure and the Premier to make that announcement. But there is
ongoing consultation on whether there might be a need to facilitate a small
number of high-risk neonates as part of the process.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
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