❓ WA Parliamentary Question highlights bed shortages in Albany and Bunbury Hospitals due to delayed aged care and NDIS placements, impacting elective surgeries. The government acknowledges the issue and outlines existing programs.
AnsweredQoN 2222Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With the ongoing issue of insufficient aged care beds and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) facilities in regional areas, I ask: (a) how many aged care patients awaiting placement in aged care facilities are occupying acute beds in the Albany Hospital and Bunbury Hospital; (b) in reference to (a), how long have they been there; (c) how many NDIS patients awaiting placement in suitable facilities are occupying acute beds in the Albany Hospital and Bunbury Hospital; (d) in reference to (c), how long have they been there; and (e) how many times has surgery been cancelled at the Albany Hospital and Bunbury Hospital in the past six months due to no beds being available for patients post-surgery?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 November 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health
Response time
10 days
While Aged Care and the NDIS are primarily Commonwealth Government responsibilities, the State Government has introduced nation leading reforms to support the discharge of older adults where clinically appropriate. These include the From Hospital to Home program, the Long Stay Patient Fund, Transition Care Program and the Long Stay Patient to Respite Program. The below data is accurate as at 18 October 2024.
(a)
Albany Hospital: 8 patients awaiting aged care services
Bunbury Hospital: <5 patients awaiting aged care services
(b)
Albany Hospital – Average length of stay is 32 days which includes patients with very complex discharge requirements.
Bunbury Hospital - Average length of stay is 7 days
(c)
Albany Hospital: <5 NDIS participants are all medically cleared for discharge but remain in inpatients whilst awaiting suitable placement.
Bunbury Hospital: <5 NDIS participants medically cleared for discharge but remains in inpatients whilst awaiting suitable placement.
(d)
Albany Hospital – Average length of stay is 45 days.
Bunbury Hospital – Average length of stay is 2 days.
(e)
Elective surgeries are rescheduled due to bed unavailability for a range of reasons including priority being given to emergency cases. Patient safety is the priority, and surgeries are often rescheduled within a matter of days.
2024 (1/3/24-30/9/24)
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Albany
0
4
0
12
7
4
1
Bunbury
7
7
6
2
0
0
8
(a)
Albany Hospital: 8 patients awaiting aged care services
Bunbury Hospital: <5 patients awaiting aged care services
(b)
Albany Hospital – Average length of stay is 32 days which includes patients with very complex discharge requirements.
Bunbury Hospital - Average length of stay is 7 days
(c)
Albany Hospital: <5 NDIS participants are all medically cleared for discharge but remain in inpatients whilst awaiting suitable placement.
Bunbury Hospital: <5 NDIS participants medically cleared for discharge but remains in inpatients whilst awaiting suitable placement.
(d)
Albany Hospital – Average length of stay is 45 days.
Bunbury Hospital – Average length of stay is 2 days.
(e)
Elective surgeries are rescheduled due to bed unavailability for a range of reasons including priority being given to emergency cases. Patient safety is the priority, and surgeries are often rescheduled within a matter of days.
2024 (1/3/24-30/9/24)
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Albany
0
4
0
12
7
4
1
Bunbury
7
7
6
2
0
0
8
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