❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Minister for Health regarding COVID-19 testing in regional WA, specifically concerning the establishment of testing clinics and infection control plans in regional emergency departments. The response indicates existing testing arrangements are deemed sufficient and existing infection control plans are in place.
AnsweredQoN 361Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
TESTING — REGIONAL AREAS
361. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Minister for Health's
commitment to establish COVID-19 testing clinics in Albany, Kalgoorlie,
Geraldton, Karratha, South Hedland and Broome.
(1) Given the
government is no longer committed to these sites in the short term due to low
demand, what is the relevant trigger for establishing a clinic at these
locations?
(2) Has the WA
Country Health Service been directed to develop a plan or plans to prevent
infection spreading in regional emergency departments?
(3) If yes to (2), has a plan been
developed; and —
(a) if yes to (3), please table; and
(b) if no to (3), when is a plan
expected to be completed?
(4) Does the
government have plans to fast-track its commitment to deliver urgent care
clinics in regional Western Australia that could provide a dedicated assessment
and testing service for potential COVID-19 patients?
TESTING — REGIONAL AREAS
361. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Minister for Health's
commitment to establish COVID-19 testing clinics in Albany, Kalgoorlie,
Geraldton, Karratha, South Hedland and Broome.
(1) Given the
government is no longer committed to these sites in the short term due to low
demand, what is the relevant trigger for establishing a clinic at these
locations?
(2) Has the WA
Country Health Service been directed to develop a plan or plans to prevent
infection spreading in regional emergency departments?
(3) If yes to (2), has a plan been
developed; and —
(a) if yes to (3), please table; and
(b) if no to (3), when is a plan
expected to be completed?
(4) Does the
government have plans to fast-track its commitment to deliver urgent care
clinics in regional Western Australia that could provide a dedicated assessment
and testing service for potential COVID-19 patients?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I note that this
question was lodged over two weeks ago, on Tuesday, 31 March, and things
change fairly quickly. This answer was accurate as at that date.
(1) COVID-19 testing in these regions is available
through hospitals, health centres and remote health clinics operated by
the WA Country Health Service, Silver Chain, Aboriginal medical services or the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The requirement
for opening COVID-19 clinics in these regions takes into consideration
public access to COVID-19 testing, changes in testing criteria, and the status
of community transmission.
(2) No. The
following existing plans are in place: ''WACHS: Infection Prevention and
Control Policy'', ''WACHS:
Environmental Cleaning Policy'' and ''Coronavirus Disease-2019
(COVID-19): Infection Prevention and Control in the Hospital Setting''.
Additionally, other relevant source documents include the ''Australian Guidelines for the Prevention
and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019)'', produced by the
National Health and Medical Research Council, and the National Safety and
Quality Health Service Standards document titled ''Standard 3:
Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections''.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) At this time,
adequate COVID-19 testing is already available at hospitals, health centres and
remote health clinics operated by the WA Country Health Service, Silver Chain,
Aboriginal medical services or the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I note that this
question was lodged over two weeks ago, on Tuesday, 31 March, and things
change fairly quickly. This answer was accurate as at that date.
(1) COVID-19 testing in these regions is available
through hospitals, health centres and remote health clinics operated by
the WA Country Health Service, Silver Chain, Aboriginal medical services or the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The requirement
for opening COVID-19 clinics in these regions takes into consideration
public access to COVID-19 testing, changes in testing criteria, and the status
of community transmission.
(2) No. The
following existing plans are in place: ''WACHS: Infection Prevention and
Control Policy'', ''WACHS:
Environmental Cleaning Policy'' and ''Coronavirus Disease-2019
(COVID-19): Infection Prevention and Control in the Hospital Setting''.
Additionally, other relevant source documents include the ''Australian Guidelines for the Prevention
and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019)'', produced by the
National Health and Medical Research Council, and the National Safety and
Quality Health Service Standards document titled ''Standard 3:
Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections''.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) At this time,
adequate COVID-19 testing is already available at hospitals, health centres and
remote health clinics operated by the WA Country Health Service, Silver Chain,
Aboriginal medical services or the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
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