Hon Robin Scott asks about the government's plan for managing COVID-19 outbreaks in regional hospitals reaching maximum capacity. The government confirms a plan exists and is being finalised.

AnsweredQoN 371Legislative Council
Asked
17 April 2020
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

CORONAVIRUS —
REGIONAL HEALTH CAMPUSES
371. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
Concerned voices in my electorate
continue to grow regarding the government's plan to handle an outbreak
of COVID-19 in regional towns.
(1) Does the
government have a plan for a situation in which a regional hospital reaches
maximum capacity of COVID-19 patients?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), what is that plan
and how quickly can health authorities implement that plan?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Yes. Surge plans for COVID-19
are being finalised for all regional hospitals.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The
Department of Health has developed whole of WA health system response plans.
Frameworks for surging general and ventilated bed capacity have been developed.
The implementation is agile and creates capacity
when and where required. Transport and retrieval plans have also been
developed. A whole of WA patient flow command centre will assist with patient
movements as required. The Department of Health and the WA Country
Health Service are working on a rapid deployment process for all staff deployments.

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