❓ Mr. Cook questions the Minister for Health regarding the findings of an independent oversight panel on St John Ambulance and the risks associated with the current ambulance service model in regional areas. The Minister acknowledges the report and outlines existing government support, promising a considered response.
AnsweredQoN 644Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AMBULANCE SERVICE MODEL — REGIONAL AREAS
644. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the findings of the
recently published independent oversight panel that investigated St John
Ambulance, which state —
It is the view of the panel that the
current model for ambulance services in the country poses increased risk and
that a perpetuation of the current model presents risks to the community and
the state.
(1) Are the
findings of the oversight panel not a damning indictment on the current model
for ambulance services?
(2) What is the
Minister for Health going to do to change the current ambulance model to remove
the risks identified?
644. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the findings of the
recently published independent oversight panel that investigated St John
Ambulance, which state —
It is the view of the panel that the
current model for ambulance services in the country poses increased risk and
that a perpetuation of the current model presents risks to the community and
the state.
(1) Are the
findings of the oversight panel not a damning indictment on the current model
for ambulance services?
(2) What is the
Minister for Health going to do to change the current ambulance model to remove
the risks identified?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) This
is a serious and important issue that has been the subject of a number of
reviews in one form or another now over the last couple of years. The report to
which the member has referred was received just on Friday. Most of the
recommendations relate specifically to the responsibility of St John Ambulance
itself, but three recommendations and one finding relate to the state
government's role. We will consider the report. We are not going to
make any rash decisions to change the model of provision of ambulance services.
There are increasing challenges in country parts of Western Australia, I know,
because it is largely based on a volunteer system and it is harder to attract
volunteers who are prepared to make the commitment that so many do on such an
outstanding basis across country Western Australia.
Having said that, the government has
over the last five years provided an extra $30 million to provide extra support
for ambulance services in the country, and in particular for the employment of
23 community paramedics, who are St John Ambulance staff and who, in some
cases, as I understand it, are involved in emergency responses and in
particular are there to provide support, training and other support for
volunteers across country Western Australia. The government has been very much
involved in that respect.
As to the specific report, which was
provided just at the end of last week, we will consider the recommendations in
a considered manner.
is a serious and important issue that has been the subject of a number of
reviews in one form or another now over the last couple of years. The report to
which the member has referred was received just on Friday. Most of the
recommendations relate specifically to the responsibility of St John Ambulance
itself, but three recommendations and one finding relate to the state
government's role. We will consider the report. We are not going to
make any rash decisions to change the model of provision of ambulance services.
There are increasing challenges in country parts of Western Australia, I know,
because it is largely based on a volunteer system and it is harder to attract
volunteers who are prepared to make the commitment that so many do on such an
outstanding basis across country Western Australia.
Having said that, the government has
over the last five years provided an extra $30 million to provide extra support
for ambulance services in the country, and in particular for the employment of
23 community paramedics, who are St John Ambulance staff and who, in some
cases, as I understand it, are involved in emergency responses and in
particular are there to provide support, training and other support for
volunteers across country Western Australia. The government has been very much
involved in that respect.
As to the specific report, which was
provided just at the end of last week, we will consider the recommendations in
a considered manner.
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