❓ Hon. Sally Talbot questions the impact of federal funding cuts on neurology services in Albany, specifically regarding the availability of neurologists and the increased need for the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS). The response indicates no plans for a state-employed neurologist in Albany but acknowledges the increased PATS claims.
AnsweredQoN 948Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
AMITY
HEALTH CENTRE — NEUROLOGISTS
948. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I understand that as of 30 June 2015, the federal government
cut the workforce payment for visiting neurologists visiting patients in Albany
at the not-for-profit Amity Health Centre, and as such I believe that Albany is
now presently without a neurologist.
(1) Will the
state government consider providing an interim visiting neurologist at Albany
Regional Hospital so that Albany patients do not have to travel to Perth for
these services?
(2) How many
patient assisted travel scheme claims has the state government received for
neurology patients living in the great southern region who have travelled to
Perth to access these services since 30 June 2015?
(3) What has
been the total value of these PATS claims from neurology patients in the great
southern who now have to travel to Perth?
HEALTH CENTRE — NEUROLOGISTS
948. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I understand that as of 30 June 2015, the federal government
cut the workforce payment for visiting neurologists visiting patients in Albany
at the not-for-profit Amity Health Centre, and as such I believe that Albany is
now presently without a neurologist.
(1) Will the
state government consider providing an interim visiting neurologist at Albany
Regional Hospital so that Albany patients do not have to travel to Perth for
these services?
(2) How many
patient assisted travel scheme claims has the state government received for
neurology patients living in the great southern region who have travelled to
Perth to access these services since 30 June 2015?
(3) What has
been the total value of these PATS claims from neurology patients in the great
southern who now have to travel to Perth?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Health, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The
following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Health.
(1) There are
no plans for the WA Country Health Service to employ a consultant neurologist
in Albany. The WA Country Health Service understands that at present Amity
Health continues to receive funding for transport and accommodation costs to
support neurology services to the Albany area via Rural Health West, funded by
the commonwealth government.
(2) Since 30
June 2015, there have been 55 patient assisted travel scheme claims for
neurology services.
(3) The total value is $11 121.00.
Minister for Health, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The
following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Health.
(1) There are
no plans for the WA Country Health Service to employ a consultant neurologist
in Albany. The WA Country Health Service understands that at present Amity
Health continues to receive funding for transport and accommodation costs to
support neurology services to the Albany area via Rural Health West, funded by
the commonwealth government.
(2) Since 30
June 2015, there have been 55 patient assisted travel scheme claims for
neurology services.
(3) The total value is $11 121.00.
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