A parliamentary question regarding the number of doctors allocated to Newman Hospital, their caseload, and the government's plan to ensure adequate medical staffing for the community. The answer clarifies the contractual arrangement with a private medical service and the government's role.

AnsweredQoN 4612Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 February 2011
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) How many doctors are currently allocated to the Newman Hospital?
(2) What is the current caseload for doctors in Newman?
(3) What caseload is considered necessary to justify an additional allocation of doctors to Newman?
(4) What steps are being taken by the State Government to ensure that the appropriate number of doctors needed in Newman are employed and allocated for this community?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
14 March 2011
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
27 days
(1) Gemini Medical Services is currently contracted to provide medical services to Newman Hospital and they are rostering one doctor per day to undertake hospital activities.
(2) The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara can not quantify the total case load of Gemini Medical Services' doctors as those figures are not available to WACHS as they are a private general practice. Gemini Medical Service doctors rostered to Newman Hospital see on average 13 people in the Emergency Department per day.
(3) For rural and remote towns it is usual to have one doctor per 1000 population - this means that Newman should have around eight General Practitioners.
(4) The doctors in Newman are General Practitioners employed by a corporate practice.  WACHS contracts this practice to deliver Emergency Department and inpatient services at Newman Hospital. WACHS ensures that adequate payment is made and that policies and procedures are adhered to but does not dictate the number of doctors employed by a private company.
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