❓ Mr. Mubarakai asks about the Cook Labor government's elective surgery reforms. The Minister for Health responds by highlighting increased activity, reduced waiting lists, and criticizes the opposition's claims about waitlist increases.
AnsweredQoN 919Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HEALTH — ELECTIVE SURGERY
919. Mr Y. MUBARAKAI to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
initiative to address elective surgery waiting times in Western Australia.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on this government's reforms to the delivery
of elective surgery and elective procedures in Western Australia?
(2) Can the
minister outline how these reforms will optimise the delivery of emergency care
for all Western Australians?
919. Mr Y. MUBARAKAI to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
initiative to address elective surgery waiting times in Western Australia.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on this government's reforms to the delivery
of elective surgery and elective procedures in Western Australia?
(2) Can the
minister outline how these reforms will optimise the delivery of emergency care
for all Western Australians?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Jandakot for the question and for highlighting to the
chamber an issue that affects many Western Australians. I was very pleased to
be with the Premier earlier this week at Osborne Park Hospital to outline the
government's commitment to maintaining what we are seeing in elective
surgery—that is, a sustained surge of activity. This year, in three
particular months, we have performed a record number
of elective surgeries across the health system. We have never done that many in
those months ever before in the system. That is an outstanding result
post-COVID. We know that there are now 8 600 fewer patients on the waiting list than in May last year. That is across both
elective surgery and elective procedures . As I said, this is an
absolutely unprecedented level of activity across our hospitals. It is what
happens when we make smart and strategic investment decisions and work in a coordinated
way across the health system. It is a result of increased FTE. It is a result
of 571 new beds since the 2021–22 budget, which is the equivalent of a new
tertiary hospital. We know that elective surgery patients have the same demands on resources as those waiting to come into
the hospital through the emergency department. Whether patients are
waiting to be seen or want to come in for surgery, we need beds and staff. That
has also been in lock step with the ramping taskforce and the almost $500 million
worth of investment to make sure that we maximise the efficiency and work of
the health system to see more people. Very creative things are being done
through maintaining theatre use, weekend lists, twilight anaesthetics and
managing appointments more efficiently. We are also ensuring that people are
reassessed regularly so that they can be bumped up to category 2 or 1 if
necessary and there is capacity to bring those forward.
I was incredibly disappointed to
again hear the Leader of the Liberal Party undermining the health system and
health workers, because this is a result of their work. She made some
incredible claims. Apparently, the elective surgery waitlist has increased by
50 per cent during our time in office. I challenge her to show the data.
Ms L. Mettam : It's
on your website.
Ms A. SANDERSON : No, that is
not what it shows.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Ms A. SANDERSON : That is not
at all what it shows. The Leader of the Liberal Party ignores the context of COVID and the incredible recovery that our health
system has made. Over that period, there were small year-on-year increases, in keeping with every other jurisdiction in the world. No other
jurisdiction is making inroads into elective surgery lists like we are in Western
Australia. We are absolutely outperforming other states and territories. That
is a huge testament to the leadership and staff on the ground. There is
confusion about how it works. I sometimes wish
that the Leader of the Liberal Party would pick up the phone to former
colleagues who have been in this portfolio and ask what it means, what
is reportable, what is non-reportable and how the lists are managed. If she
asked the questions, she would get the information. She could then make a clear
assessment of what is actually a fantastic outcome
for Western Australians. We report exactly what is required through the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
nationally. It is exactly what was reported under previous Liberal governments
and under every single health minister before me. Claims that there is
some kind of hidden waitlist or that there has been a 50 per cent blowout are
absolutely and completely wrong, and show that she does not know what she is
talking about.
thank the member for Jandakot for the question and for highlighting to the
chamber an issue that affects many Western Australians. I was very pleased to
be with the Premier earlier this week at Osborne Park Hospital to outline the
government's commitment to maintaining what we are seeing in elective
surgery—that is, a sustained surge of activity. This year, in three
particular months, we have performed a record number
of elective surgeries across the health system. We have never done that many in
those months ever before in the system. That is an outstanding result
post-COVID. We know that there are now 8 600 fewer patients on the waiting list than in May last year. That is across both
elective surgery and elective procedures . As I said, this is an
absolutely unprecedented level of activity across our hospitals. It is what
happens when we make smart and strategic investment decisions and work in a coordinated
way across the health system. It is a result of increased FTE. It is a result
of 571 new beds since the 2021–22 budget, which is the equivalent of a new
tertiary hospital. We know that elective surgery patients have the same demands on resources as those waiting to come into
the hospital through the emergency department. Whether patients are
waiting to be seen or want to come in for surgery, we need beds and staff. That
has also been in lock step with the ramping taskforce and the almost $500 million
worth of investment to make sure that we maximise the efficiency and work of
the health system to see more people. Very creative things are being done
through maintaining theatre use, weekend lists, twilight anaesthetics and
managing appointments more efficiently. We are also ensuring that people are
reassessed regularly so that they can be bumped up to category 2 or 1 if
necessary and there is capacity to bring those forward.
I was incredibly disappointed to
again hear the Leader of the Liberal Party undermining the health system and
health workers, because this is a result of their work. She made some
incredible claims. Apparently, the elective surgery waitlist has increased by
50 per cent during our time in office. I challenge her to show the data.
Ms L. Mettam : It's
on your website.
Ms A. SANDERSON : No, that is
not what it shows.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Ms A. SANDERSON : That is not
at all what it shows. The Leader of the Liberal Party ignores the context of COVID and the incredible recovery that our health
system has made. Over that period, there were small year-on-year increases, in keeping with every other jurisdiction in the world. No other
jurisdiction is making inroads into elective surgery lists like we are in Western
Australia. We are absolutely outperforming other states and territories. That
is a huge testament to the leadership and staff on the ground. There is
confusion about how it works. I sometimes wish
that the Leader of the Liberal Party would pick up the phone to former
colleagues who have been in this portfolio and ask what it means, what
is reportable, what is non-reportable and how the lists are managed. If she
asked the questions, she would get the information. She could then make a clear
assessment of what is actually a fantastic outcome
for Western Australians. We report exactly what is required through the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
nationally. It is exactly what was reported under previous Liberal governments
and under every single health minister before me. Claims that there is
some kind of hidden waitlist or that there has been a 50 per cent blowout are
absolutely and completely wrong, and show that she does not know what she is
talking about.
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