❓ Mr Zempilas questions the Minister for Health regarding lead contamination at Perth Children's Hospital, focusing on accessibility to contaminated sites and potential exposure. The Minister assures the public of water safety based on the Chief Health Officer's advice and existing testing regimes.
AnsweredQoN 420Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Perth Children's Hospital—Contaminated water
420. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Minister for Health:
I refer to the discovery
of lead at Perth Children's Hospital.
(1) Noting that the
Premier told the public yesterday that the sites are not in patient-facing
areas or in public or staffing areas, can the minister confirm the Chief
Health Officer has advised one location was accessible to staff and the other
location was accessible to visitors?
(2) Has the hospital, the
Department of Health or the Chief Health Officer investigated whether anybody
was exposed to the contaminated water?
(3) If yes to (2), how many people were exposed?
(4) If no to (2), why not?
420. Mr Basil Zempilas to
the Minister for Health:
I refer to the discovery
of lead at Perth Children's Hospital.
(1) Noting that the
Premier told the public yesterday that the sites are not in patient-facing
areas or in public or staffing areas, can the minister confirm the Chief
Health Officer has advised one location was accessible to staff and the other
location was accessible to visitors?
(2) Has the hospital, the
Department of Health or the Chief Health Officer investigated whether anybody
was exposed to the contaminated water?
(3) If yes to (2), how many people were exposed?
(4) If no to (2), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) I thank the member for the
question. I want to reiterate, because I think it is very important to do so,
that the Chief Health Officer has advised that the water at Perth Children's
Hospital is safe to drink. I have said before and I want repeat that the safety
of patients and staff is of the utmost importance to our government.
Members will no doubt be aware
that a letter was tabled from the Chief Health Officer to me regarding the
issue that clarified his advice regarding the safety. He is confident in the
testing regime, particularly given the history of that site when it was opened
and that a significant number of sites had concerns. There is a specific
testing regime in place in that hospital. He has also advised that the process
of decommissioning those sites that were identified, where they undergo
remediation, is an important contributing factor to ensuring we are managing
the water at Perth Children's Hospital so that it is safe for both patients and
staff and other visitors to that hospital.
question. I want to reiterate, because I think it is very important to do so,
that the Chief Health Officer has advised that the water at Perth Children's
Hospital is safe to drink. I have said before and I want repeat that the safety
of patients and staff is of the utmost importance to our government.
Members will no doubt be aware
that a letter was tabled from the Chief Health Officer to me regarding the
issue that clarified his advice regarding the safety. He is confident in the
testing regime, particularly given the history of that site when it was opened
and that a significant number of sites had concerns. There is a specific
testing regime in place in that hospital. He has also advised that the process
of decommissioning those sites that were identified, where they undergo
remediation, is an important contributing factor to ensuring we are managing
the water at Perth Children's Hospital so that it is safe for both patients and
staff and other visitors to that hospital.
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