A parliamentary question regarding the use of disposable linen in regional ambulance sub-centres, inquiring about the timeline, composition, and cost responsibility. The answer confirms the practice, cites infection control as the reason, and identifies St John's Ambulance as the purchaser.

AnsweredQoN 1601Legislative Council
Asked
28 August 2018
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Do regional and country ambulance sub-centres use disposable linen? (2) If yes to (1): (a) when did this change and what is the reason for the change; (b) what are the various forms of disposable linen made from; and (c) who pays for the cost of the disposable linen?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
10 October 2018
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
10 days
I am advised that: (1) All country ambulance sub-centres in the Wheatbelt and South West regions use disposable linen along with some country ambulance sub-centres in the Mid-West and North-West regions.
(2) (a) The use of disposable linen commenced under the previous Government in 2015 in the Wheatbelt and subsequently across the regions listed in question 1. The use of disposable linen in Emergency Departments and similar environments is considered best practice from an infection control perspective and in line with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (Standard 3).
(b) The disposable linen used by St John’s Ambulance (SJA) is nonwoven polypropylene.
(c) SJA is the Government’s contracted provider of these services and purchases the disposable linen.

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