❓ Inquires about Breastscreen WA's performance, waiting times for mammograms and follow-up procedures, staffing levels, and government response to cancer care recommendations, also addresses potential job cuts in the Department of Health and surgery wait times.
⏳ Awaiting AnswerQoN 4829Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to Breastscreen WA and other diagnostic breast services and ask:
(a) what is the average waiting time for a routine mammogram for women in the recommended age group (50-74) for biennial screening from the date they request an appointment;
(b) what is the average wait time for women over 40 exhibiting breast symptoms which require further investigation who have been referred for a mammogram;
(c) on the day of the screening, historically many women after their screening are encouraged to wait around for approximately 10-15 minutes after the mammogram to be verbally advised of the results which are formally posted in the mail afterwards. Are women still being provided with initial feedback on the day prior to getting their written report, if not why not;
(d) is the Minister aware that on the Breastscreen WA website it indicates that they attempt to advise patients of their results in writing within 10 days, but feedback from patients suggests the wait for results will be 4-6 weeks.;
(e) what is Breastscreen WA's KPI for mammogram results response times;
(f) what is the current average waiting time for written mammogram results for women receiving their biennial screening;
(g) what is the current average waiting time for women to receive the written results of their mammogram if they have exhibited symptoms;
(h) if the mammogram results indicate that further tests are required and the patient is recalled for these further tests, what is the KPI for women who require:
(i) breast X-ray;
(ii) breast ultrasound;
(iii) fine needle aspiration (FNA);
(iv) clinical exam by a physician;
(v) core biopsy; and
(vi) marker Clip;
(i) if the mammogram results indicate that further tests are required and the patient is recalled for further tests, what is the current waiting time for public patients who require:
(i) breast X-ray;
(ii) breast ultrasound;
(iii) fine needle aspiration (FNA);
(iv) clinical exam by a physician;
(v) core biopsy; and
(vi) marker clip;
(j) what is the longest time any public patient has waited in 2014/15, for any of the above diagnostic procedures;
(k) how many FTE radiologists were employed by Breastscreen WA in the following financial years:
(i) 2014/15;
(ii) 2013/14; and
(iii) 2012/13;
(l) how many are currently employed by Breastscreen WA;
(m) how many vacancies for radiologists within Breastscreen WA currently exist; and
(n) the Taskforce Report also indicates Clinicians reporting some patients waiting up to 6 months for diagnostic surgery for indeterminate lesions found in Breastscreen assessments, what is the government doing to address these unacceptably long waiting times for diagnostic surgery?
(2) I refer to the government announcement of up to 2000 jobs being cut from within the Department of Health, will any of these job cuts apply to Bassendean WA staff or will the organisation be exempt from job losses?
(3) I refer to the 2015 WA Adult Cancer Care Taskforce Report which recommends new funding be made available to employ Clinical Nurse Coordinators for metastatic breast cancer, and ask:
(a) what is the government response to this particular recommendation; and
(b) is the Minister currently aware that the Taskforce Report also indicates Clinicians reporting some patients waiting up to 6 months for diagnostic surgery for indeterminate lesions found in Bassendean assessments, and if so:
(i) what is the government doing to address these unacceptably long waiting times for diagnostic surgery?
Answered on
(a) what is the average waiting time for a routine mammogram for women in the recommended age group (50-74) for biennial screening from the date they request an appointment;
(b) what is the average wait time for women over 40 exhibiting breast symptoms which require further investigation who have been referred for a mammogram;
(c) on the day of the screening, historically many women after their screening are encouraged to wait around for approximately 10-15 minutes after the mammogram to be verbally advised of the results which are formally posted in the mail afterwards. Are women still being provided with initial feedback on the day prior to getting their written report, if not why not;
(d) is the Minister aware that on the Breastscreen WA website it indicates that they attempt to advise patients of their results in writing within 10 days, but feedback from patients suggests the wait for results will be 4-6 weeks.;
(e) what is Breastscreen WA's KPI for mammogram results response times;
(f) what is the current average waiting time for written mammogram results for women receiving their biennial screening;
(g) what is the current average waiting time for women to receive the written results of their mammogram if they have exhibited symptoms;
(h) if the mammogram results indicate that further tests are required and the patient is recalled for these further tests, what is the KPI for women who require:
(i) breast X-ray;
(ii) breast ultrasound;
(iii) fine needle aspiration (FNA);
(iv) clinical exam by a physician;
(v) core biopsy; and
(vi) marker Clip;
(i) if the mammogram results indicate that further tests are required and the patient is recalled for further tests, what is the current waiting time for public patients who require:
(i) breast X-ray;
(ii) breast ultrasound;
(iii) fine needle aspiration (FNA);
(iv) clinical exam by a physician;
(v) core biopsy; and
(vi) marker clip;
(j) what is the longest time any public patient has waited in 2014/15, for any of the above diagnostic procedures;
(k) how many FTE radiologists were employed by Breastscreen WA in the following financial years:
(i) 2014/15;
(ii) 2013/14; and
(iii) 2012/13;
(l) how many are currently employed by Breastscreen WA;
(m) how many vacancies for radiologists within Breastscreen WA currently exist; and
(n) the Taskforce Report also indicates Clinicians reporting some patients waiting up to 6 months for diagnostic surgery for indeterminate lesions found in Breastscreen assessments, what is the government doing to address these unacceptably long waiting times for diagnostic surgery?
(2) I refer to the government announcement of up to 2000 jobs being cut from within the Department of Health, will any of these job cuts apply to Bassendean WA staff or will the organisation be exempt from job losses?
(3) I refer to the 2015 WA Adult Cancer Care Taskforce Report which recommends new funding be made available to employ Clinical Nurse Coordinators for metastatic breast cancer, and ask:
(a) what is the government response to this particular recommendation; and
(b) is the Minister currently aware that the Taskforce Report also indicates Clinicians reporting some patients waiting up to 6 months for diagnostic surgery for indeterminate lesions found in Bassendean assessments, and if so:
(i) what is the government doing to address these unacceptably long waiting times for diagnostic surgery?
Answered on
AnswerView source ↗
⏳
This question is awaiting a response from the Minister.
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