❓ A parliamentary question regarding potential budget cuts and service reductions at Gnowangerup District Hospital, with the Minister denying budget cuts but indicating potential service adjustments based on community needs and demographic changes.
AnsweredQoN 37Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the meeting held in Gnowangerup last week between Keith Symes, the director of the great southern health region, and staff from the Gnowangerup District Hospital and the Shire of Gnowangerup. (1) Can the minister confirm that the staff at the Gnowangerup District Hospital were advised that the Gnowangerup hospital budget will be reduced next year and that they need to decide which services should be maintained and which services cut? (2) On what basis is the Government deciding to withdraw further health services from country communities? I refer to its election commitment, outlined on page 4 of its “Better regional health” policy to “deliver health services closer to where people live”, and its promise on page 14 of the same document to strengthen “the role and effectiveness of community health services to address the disturbingly poorer health outcomes that many people in regional WA face”. (3) Will the minister guarantee that all health services at the Gnowangerup hospital will be maintained? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(1) Can the minister confirm that the staff at the Gnowangerup District Hospital were advised that the Gnowangerup hospital budget will be reduced next year and that they need to decide which services should be maintained and which services cut? (2) On what basis is the Government deciding to withdraw further health services from country communities? I refer to its election commitment, outlined on page 4 of its “Better regional health” policy to “deliver health services closer to where people live”, and its promise on page 14 of the same document to strengthen “the role and effectiveness of community health services to address the disturbingly poorer health outcomes that many people in regional WA face”. (3) Will the minister guarantee that all health services at the Gnowangerup hospital will be maintained? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(2) On what basis is the Government deciding to withdraw further health services from country communities? I refer to its election commitment, outlined on page 4 of its “Better regional health” policy to “deliver health services closer to where people live”, and its promise on page 14 of the same document to strengthen “the role and effectiveness of community health services to address the disturbingly poorer health outcomes that many people in regional WA face”. (3) Will the minister guarantee that all health services at the Gnowangerup hospital will be maintained? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(3) Will the minister guarantee that all health services at the Gnowangerup hospital will be maintained? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(1) Can the minister confirm that the staff at the Gnowangerup District Hospital were advised that the Gnowangerup hospital budget will be reduced next year and that they need to decide which services should be maintained and which services cut? (2) On what basis is the Government deciding to withdraw further health services from country communities? I refer to its election commitment, outlined on page 4 of its “Better regional health” policy to “deliver health services closer to where people live”, and its promise on page 14 of the same document to strengthen “the role and effectiveness of community health services to address the disturbingly poorer health outcomes that many people in regional WA face”. (3) Will the minister guarantee that all health services at the Gnowangerup hospital will be maintained? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(2) On what basis is the Government deciding to withdraw further health services from country communities? I refer to its election commitment, outlined on page 4 of its “Better regional health” policy to “deliver health services closer to where people live”, and its promise on page 14 of the same document to strengthen “the role and effectiveness of community health services to address the disturbingly poorer health outcomes that many people in regional WA face”. (3) Will the minister guarantee that all health services at the Gnowangerup hospital will be maintained? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(3) Will the minister guarantee that all health services at the Gnowangerup hospital will be maintained? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
I thank the member for Roe for some notice of the question, which has enabled me to give detailed thought to the reply. (1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(1) I can confirm that staff from the Shire of Gnowangerup and Gnowangerup District Hospital were not informed that the budget of the Gnowangerup hospital will be cut next year. The claim in question (1) is not true. (2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(2) Decision making for Gnowangerup is being informed by both a local health needs analysis and a review of services at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that the needs analysis will show that there are requirements to deal with health issues such as asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; to provide better support for aged persons to remain in their homes; and for enhanced child and school health programs for preschool and school-aged children. The review of hospital services will be influenced by the facts that the regional population has declined 16 per cent since 1991, hospital in-patient and emergency activities have declined during that time, and most of the in-patient care is of residential nursing home type persons. Discussions with the shire council and hospital staff have commenced. Community consultation on the needs analysis will begin in early March 2004. (3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
(3) There will be no pre-emptive move to change arrangements at the Gnowangerup hospital; however, in the light of what I have just said, it is fair to engage in discussion with the local community about the way in which we can best meet its health needs. I can certainly guarantee that an appropriate range and level of services will continue to be provided to the people who live in the area serviced by the Gnowangerup hospital.
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