Ms McHale questions the placement of adult male patients in a children's ward at Bunbury Regional Hospital. Mr Day confirms it occurred due to capacity issues and defends the practice as a designed overflow solution, accusing the opposition of sensationalism.

AnsweredQoN 228Legislative Assembly
Asked
11 October 2000
Member
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Can the minister confirm that adult male patients were placed in a room in the children's ward at Bunbury Regional Hospital? (2) If so, can he explain why this occurred? (3) What action does he intend to take to ensure there is no recurrence of this event? Mr DAY

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(3) I thank the member for some notice of the question. I understand that this situation occurred at the Bunbury Regional Hospital when the rest of the hospital was full to capacity. I am further advised that the hospital wards have been established to allow for overflow from one area of the hospital to another. The children's wards have private rooms with en suites which back onto the surgical wards, and are separated from the children's wards and allow for adult use. I am advised that this will recur if a situation arises in which it is necessary for some overflow from one area of the hospital to another. This allows for the most effective use of hospital beds. The hospital was designed to allow for this overflow to occur when necessary, and to provide adequate patient privacy. The Opposition is obviously trying to beat this up into a major issue when it is part of the normal functioning of the hospital.
(2) If so, can he explain why this occurred? (3) What action does he intend to take to ensure there is no recurrence of this event? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for some notice of the question. I understand that this situation occurred at the Bunbury Regional Hospital when the rest of the hospital was full to capacity. I am further advised that the hospital wards have been established to allow for overflow from one area of the hospital to another. The children's wards have private rooms with en suites which back onto the surgical wards, and are separated from the children's wards and allow for adult use. I am advised that this will recur if a situation arises in which it is necessary for some overflow from one area of the hospital to another. This allows for the most effective use of hospital beds. The hospital was designed to allow for this overflow to occur when necessary, and to provide adequate patient privacy. The Opposition is obviously trying to beat this up into a major issue when it is part of the normal functioning of the hospital.
(3) What action does he intend to take to ensure there is no recurrence of this event? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for some notice of the question. I understand that this situation occurred at the Bunbury Regional Hospital when the rest of the hospital was full to capacity. I am further advised that the hospital wards have been established to allow for overflow from one area of the hospital to another. The children's wards have private rooms with en suites which back onto the surgical wards, and are separated from the children's wards and allow for adult use. I am advised that this will recur if a situation arises in which it is necessary for some overflow from one area of the hospital to another. This allows for the most effective use of hospital beds. The hospital was designed to allow for this overflow to occur when necessary, and to provide adequate patient privacy. The Opposition is obviously trying to beat this up into a major issue when it is part of the normal functioning of the hospital.
Mr DAY replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for some notice of the question. I understand that this situation occurred at the Bunbury Regional Hospital when the rest of the hospital was full to capacity. I am further advised that the hospital wards have been established to allow for overflow from one area of the hospital to another. The children's wards have private rooms with en suites which back onto the surgical wards, and are separated from the children's wards and allow for adult use. I am advised that this will recur if a situation arises in which it is necessary for some overflow from one area of the hospital to another. This allows for the most effective use of hospital beds. The hospital was designed to allow for this overflow to occur when necessary, and to provide adequate patient privacy. The Opposition is obviously trying to beat this up into a major issue when it is part of the normal functioning of the hospital.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for some notice of the question. I understand that this situation occurred at the Bunbury Regional Hospital when the rest of the hospital was full to capacity. I am further advised that the hospital wards have been established to allow for overflow from one area of the hospital to another. The children's wards have private rooms with en suites which back onto the surgical wards, and are separated from the children's wards and allow for adult use. I am advised that this will recur if a situation arises in which it is necessary for some overflow from one area of the hospital to another. This allows for the most effective use of hospital beds. The hospital was designed to allow for this overflow to occur when necessary, and to provide adequate patient privacy. The Opposition is obviously trying to beat this up into a major issue when it is part of the normal functioning of the hospital.

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