❓ Question regarding the impact of Federal Medicare freeze on WA Emergency Department presentations and projected increases in ED care across hospitals. The answer provides modelling information and WA Health system funding based on Weighted Activity Units (WAUs).
AnsweredQoN 5666Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Budget Paper 2, Volume 1, page 319 in the 2016-17 State Budget, which estimates a 4.3 percent increase in Emergency Department (ED) episodes of care in the 2016/17 year and ask: (a) has any modelling been undertaken as to the likely increase in ED presentations as a result of the Federal Government 2016-17 budget, which announced the freeze indexation on the medicare benefits schedule rebate for a further 3 years,; (b) what is the projected percentage increase in ED presentations for the forward estimate out-years; and (c) can you provide a breakdown across each of the hospitals (with EDs) for the projected episodes of ED care in 2016-17?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 September 2016
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
35 days
(a) Modelling is undertaken using historical data so increases in ED presentations due to previous Federal Government decisions will influence the current projections.
(b) While the Budget Papers include information on both ED episodes of care and Weighted Activity Units (WAUs), the WA Health system is funded and manages its activity around the delivery of WAUs. Targets are set in WAUs and apply to the bulk of WA hospital activity (Activity Based Funded hospitals).
The table below shows weighted activity and growth between financial years for ED services at Activity Based Funded Hospitals as specified in the Department of Health Service Agreements for the forward estimates:
WA Activity Based Funded Hospitals Emergency Department Targets
Financial Year
Weighted ED Presentations (WAUs)
Growth %
2016-17
116,402
2017-18
120,866
3.8%
2018-19
125,376
3.7%
2019-20
129,886
3.6%
From 2014-15 to 2015-16 actual ED services provided grew by 3.2% under the same measure.
(c) [see tabled paper no.]
(b) While the Budget Papers include information on both ED episodes of care and Weighted Activity Units (WAUs), the WA Health system is funded and manages its activity around the delivery of WAUs. Targets are set in WAUs and apply to the bulk of WA hospital activity (Activity Based Funded hospitals).
The table below shows weighted activity and growth between financial years for ED services at Activity Based Funded Hospitals as specified in the Department of Health Service Agreements for the forward estimates:
WA Activity Based Funded Hospitals Emergency Department Targets
Financial Year
Weighted ED Presentations (WAUs)
Growth %
2016-17
116,402
2017-18
120,866
3.8%
2018-19
125,376
3.7%
2019-20
129,886
3.6%
From 2014-15 to 2015-16 actual ED services provided grew by 3.2% under the same measure.
(c) [see tabled paper no.]
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