❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Liberal Party's commitment to build a Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU and ED, including timelines and funding. The Minister's response clarifies the commitment and outlines delays due to the four-hour rule implementation.
AnsweredQoN 1130Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BUNBURY REGIONAL HOSPITAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT — LIBERAL PARTY ELECTION COMMITMENT
I refer to the Liberal Party’s election commitment to build a Bunbury intensive care unit within the first 12 months of winning government. (1) When will the business cases for the expansion of the Bunbury Regional Hospital emergency department and the Bunbury intensive care unit be completed? Please specify the month and year. (2) When will the works expanding the emergency department commence and be completed? Please specify the month and year. (3) When will the promised ICU be opened? Please specify the month and year. (4) Noting that only half a million dollars has been committed in the state budget for equipment in the Bunbury ICU, will this be sufficient to equip an ICU, and up to what standard? (5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
I refer to the Liberal Party’s election commitment to build a Bunbury intensive care unit within the first 12 months of winning government. (1) When will the business cases for the expansion of the Bunbury Regional Hospital emergency department and the Bunbury intensive care unit be completed? Please specify the month and year. (2) When will the works expanding the emergency department commence and be completed? Please specify the month and year. (3) When will the promised ICU be opened? Please specify the month and year. (4) Noting that only half a million dollars has been committed in the state budget for equipment in the Bunbury ICU, will this be sufficient to equip an ICU, and up to what standard? (5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
AnswerView source ↗
It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(1) When will the business cases for the expansion of the Bunbury Regional Hospital emergency department and the Bunbury intensive care unit be completed? Please specify the month and year. (2) When will the works expanding the emergency department commence and be completed? Please specify the month and year. (3) When will the promised ICU be opened? Please specify the month and year. (4) Noting that only half a million dollars has been committed in the state budget for equipment in the Bunbury ICU, will this be sufficient to equip an ICU, and up to what standard? (5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(2) When will the works expanding the emergency department commence and be completed? Please specify the month and year. (3) When will the promised ICU be opened? Please specify the month and year. (4) Noting that only half a million dollars has been committed in the state budget for equipment in the Bunbury ICU, will this be sufficient to equip an ICU, and up to what standard? (5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(3) When will the promised ICU be opened? Please specify the month and year. (4) Noting that only half a million dollars has been committed in the state budget for equipment in the Bunbury ICU, will this be sufficient to equip an ICU, and up to what standard? (5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(4) Noting that only half a million dollars has been committed in the state budget for equipment in the Bunbury ICU, will this be sufficient to equip an ICU, and up to what standard? (5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(1) When will the business cases for the expansion of the Bunbury Regional Hospital emergency department and the Bunbury intensive care unit be completed? Please specify the month and year. (2) When will the works expanding the emergency department commence and be completed? Please specify the month and year. (3) When will the promised ICU be opened? Please specify the month and year. (4) Noting that only half a million dollars has been committed in the state budget for equipment in the Bunbury ICU, will this be sufficient to equip an ICU, and up to what standard? (5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(2) When will the works expanding the emergency department commence and be completed? Please specify the month and year. (3) When will the promised ICU be opened? Please specify the month and year. (4) Noting that only half a million dollars has been committed in the state budget for equipment in the Bunbury ICU, will this be sufficient to equip an ICU, and up to what standard? (5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(3) When will the promised ICU be opened? Please specify the month and year. (4) Noting that only half a million dollars has been committed in the state budget for equipment in the Bunbury ICU, will this be sufficient to equip an ICU, and up to what standard? (5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(4) Noting that only half a million dollars has been committed in the state budget for equipment in the Bunbury ICU, will this be sufficient to equip an ICU, and up to what standard? (5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(5) What additional funding will be needed for additional staff, equipment and other resources to operate the expanded Bunbury ED and the ICU? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
It was not a Liberal Party election commitment to build the Bunbury ICU within the first 12 months of winning government. Prior to the state election, in response to a media inquiry asking whether the ICU would be finished within 12 months, the then opposition spokesperson for health said that without knowledge of the reasons for Labor’s delay it was not possible to be certain but the establishment of the ICU within 12 months would be his target and it would be given a high priority in government. It has since been decided that the best approach is to complete this work when implementing the four-hour rule. In answer to the specific questions asked by the honourable member — (1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(1) While the business case for the Bunbury Regional Hospital ICU has been substantially completed, it has been rescheduled due to the identified need to expand the Bunbury emergency department and the implementation of the four-hour rule initiative. The four-hour rule program is based on using a clinical service redesign methodology, which requires a period of diagnostic evaluation prior to developing and implementing solutions. Therefore, at this point of the program, the Department of Health is not able to predict whether solutions generated by each hospital will determine the full extent of the upgrade required to their emergency department. Bunbury Regional Hospital is currently at its diagnostic evaluation stage. Subsequent to sufficient four-hour rule implementation at the Bunbury Regional Hospital, the ED expansion will be integrated into a combined ICU-ED business case. WA Country Health Service has committed to complete this combined business case by the end of 2009, subject to outcomes from the four-hour rule implementation process. (2)-(3) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the time frames for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes. Once approved, the design, tender, construction and transition period is estimated to be 36 months. (4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
(4)-(5) The combined ICU-ED business case will set out the costing for these projects and will be subject to government approval processes; therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive project costing.
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