❓ Ms Mettam questions the Minister for Health about a significant increase in spending on agency nurses in regional WA, attributing it to government mismanagement. The Minister defends the spending as necessary to maintain services during COVID-related staff shortages.
AnsweredQoN 832Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WA COUNTRY HEALTH
SERVICE — AGENCY NURSES
832. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the astounding
revelation that the WA Country Health Service spent almost $100 million more on
contract agency nurses in 2022–23 than it did the previous year—a
fivefold increase—to fill vacancies in regional hospitals. Can the
minister confirm that this is a result of the Cook Labor government running
down our health system to the point that it is struggling to attract much
needed permanent nursing staff for critical roles?
SERVICE — AGENCY NURSES
832. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the astounding
revelation that the WA Country Health Service spent almost $100 million more on
contract agency nurses in 2022–23 than it did the previous year—a
fivefold increase—to fill vacancies in regional hospitals. Can the
minister confirm that this is a result of the Cook Labor government running
down our health system to the point that it is struggling to attract much
needed permanent nursing staff for critical roles?
AnswerView source ↗
It demonstrates our commitment to
keeping regional health services open—that is what it does! The member
will recall that in 2022–23, we had
something called COVID that went through not only metropolitan Perth but the
whole state. There were high levels of sick leave and other leave all
through that year, right up to the end of 2022. We had another wave; I think it was the third wave. That leave also
included regional hospitals, so, yes, agency staff were brought on to
replace people on those rosters. What would the Leader of the Liberal Party
prefer? Clearly, the Liberal–National opposition would prefer it if we
just told the staff on the ground to make do: ''Just make do with what
you've got. People are off sick. This role is not filled. People are
unwell or their children are unwell, so just make do with what you've
got.'' We have just had record amounts of sick leave and COVID furlough,
and we are committed to keeping those services open. That is why.
keeping regional health services open—that is what it does! The member
will recall that in 2022–23, we had
something called COVID that went through not only metropolitan Perth but the
whole state. There were high levels of sick leave and other leave all
through that year, right up to the end of 2022. We had another wave; I think it was the third wave. That leave also
included regional hospitals, so, yes, agency staff were brought on to
replace people on those rosters. What would the Leader of the Liberal Party
prefer? Clearly, the Liberal–National opposition would prefer it if we
just told the staff on the ground to make do: ''Just make do with what
you've got. People are off sick. This role is not filled. People are
unwell or their children are unwell, so just make do with what you've
got.'' We have just had record amounts of sick leave and COVID furlough,
and we are committed to keeping those services open. That is why.
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