❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about St John Ambulance services in the South West region, specifically regarding a delayed response to a medical emergency in Bunbury and broader issues of ambulance service provision in country areas. The Minister's response outlines reviews, funding allocations, and planned improvements.
AnsweredQoN 210Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ST JOHN AMBULANCE — SERVICES IN SOUTH WEST REGION
I refer to St John Ambulance services in the South West region and recent media concerning the ambulance service provided to Mr John Banks in Bunbury on 18 February 2011. (1) What action has the minister taken in relation to the concerns voiced by Mr Banks’ widow about the service provided by St John Ambulance on that day? (2) Why did it take four minutes from the time the 000 call was made before the ambulance left the Bunbury depot? (3) Why did it take St John Ambulance six minutes to leave the Bunbury depot and arrive where Mr Banks collapsed, even though he was just 300 metres down the street? (4) The St John Ambulance inquiry report to the Minister for Health dated October 2009 recommended that ambulance needs in country areas be subject to further assessment. What further assessment has been undertaken and will the minister table the further assessment; and, if not, why not? (5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON
I refer to St John Ambulance services in the South West region and recent media concerning the ambulance service provided to Mr John Banks in Bunbury on 18 February 2011. (1) What action has the minister taken in relation to the concerns voiced by Mr Banks’ widow about the service provided by St John Ambulance on that day? (2) Why did it take four minutes from the time the 000 call was made before the ambulance left the Bunbury depot? (3) Why did it take St John Ambulance six minutes to leave the Bunbury depot and arrive where Mr Banks collapsed, even though he was just 300 metres down the street? (4) The St John Ambulance inquiry report to the Minister for Health dated October 2009 recommended that ambulance needs in country areas be subject to further assessment. What further assessment has been undertaken and will the minister table the further assessment; and, if not, why not? (5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(1) What action has the minister taken in relation to the concerns voiced by Mr Banks’ widow about the service provided by St John Ambulance on that day? (2) Why did it take four minutes from the time the 000 call was made before the ambulance left the Bunbury depot? (3) Why did it take St John Ambulance six minutes to leave the Bunbury depot and arrive where Mr Banks collapsed, even though he was just 300 metres down the street? (4) The St John Ambulance inquiry report to the Minister for Health dated October 2009 recommended that ambulance needs in country areas be subject to further assessment. What further assessment has been undertaken and will the minister table the further assessment; and, if not, why not? (5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(2) Why did it take four minutes from the time the 000 call was made before the ambulance left the Bunbury depot? (3) Why did it take St John Ambulance six minutes to leave the Bunbury depot and arrive where Mr Banks collapsed, even though he was just 300 metres down the street? (4) The St John Ambulance inquiry report to the Minister for Health dated October 2009 recommended that ambulance needs in country areas be subject to further assessment. What further assessment has been undertaken and will the minister table the further assessment; and, if not, why not? (5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(3) Why did it take St John Ambulance six minutes to leave the Bunbury depot and arrive where Mr Banks collapsed, even though he was just 300 metres down the street? (4) The St John Ambulance inquiry report to the Minister for Health dated October 2009 recommended that ambulance needs in country areas be subject to further assessment. What further assessment has been undertaken and will the minister table the further assessment; and, if not, why not? (5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(4) The St John Ambulance inquiry report to the Minister for Health dated October 2009 recommended that ambulance needs in country areas be subject to further assessment. What further assessment has been undertaken and will the minister table the further assessment; and, if not, why not? (5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(1) What action has the minister taken in relation to the concerns voiced by Mr Banks’ widow about the service provided by St John Ambulance on that day? (2) Why did it take four minutes from the time the 000 call was made before the ambulance left the Bunbury depot? (3) Why did it take St John Ambulance six minutes to leave the Bunbury depot and arrive where Mr Banks collapsed, even though he was just 300 metres down the street? (4) The St John Ambulance inquiry report to the Minister for Health dated October 2009 recommended that ambulance needs in country areas be subject to further assessment. What further assessment has been undertaken and will the minister table the further assessment; and, if not, why not? (5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(2) Why did it take four minutes from the time the 000 call was made before the ambulance left the Bunbury depot? (3) Why did it take St John Ambulance six minutes to leave the Bunbury depot and arrive where Mr Banks collapsed, even though he was just 300 metres down the street? (4) The St John Ambulance inquiry report to the Minister for Health dated October 2009 recommended that ambulance needs in country areas be subject to further assessment. What further assessment has been undertaken and will the minister table the further assessment; and, if not, why not? (5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(3) Why did it take St John Ambulance six minutes to leave the Bunbury depot and arrive where Mr Banks collapsed, even though he was just 300 metres down the street? (4) The St John Ambulance inquiry report to the Minister for Health dated October 2009 recommended that ambulance needs in country areas be subject to further assessment. What further assessment has been undertaken and will the minister table the further assessment; and, if not, why not? (5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(4) The St John Ambulance inquiry report to the Minister for Health dated October 2009 recommended that ambulance needs in country areas be subject to further assessment. What further assessment has been undertaken and will the minister table the further assessment; and, if not, why not? (5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(5) When will a patient transfer vehicle and sufficient additional paramedics to put a second ambulance on the road be provided to Bunbury? (6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(6) Will the minister table the current three-year funding contract between the state government and St John Ambulance; and, if not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(1)–(3) The minister has requested a comprehensive clinical and operational review, which is currently being prepared by St John Ambulance and will take up to six weeks to be delivered. (4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(4) Following the St John Ambulance inquiry, a review of country services was undertaken and is still continuing. The government provided an additional $26.1 million over four years in the 2010–11 budget from the royalties for regions program to enhance the provision of country ambulance services. (5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(5) St John Ambulance has advised, as part of its assessment and planning for the region, that a new patient transport vehicle will be available in Bunbury in the next three to four months, following recruitment and staff training. (6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
(6) The contract negotiations are currently in the final stages.
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