❓ Mr Day questions the Minister for Health about the potential withdrawal of obstetric services from Kalamunda Hospital, citing community concern and staff expertise. The Minister acknowledges concerns and refers to a broader health services plan being finalised.
AnsweredQoN 217Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the provision of obstetric services at Kalamunda District Community Hospital, where approximately 400 babies are delivered each year. (1) Is the minister aware of the high standard of care provided by medical and midwifery staff at the hospital? (2) Is the minister aware of the high level of community concern about the prospect of obstetric services being withdrawn? (3) Is it the government’s intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital at the end of December this year; and, if not, when? (4) What improvements will have been made to the obstetric department at Swan District Hospital by the time obstetric services are withdrawn from Kalamunda hospital, and at what cost? (5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(1) Is the minister aware of the high standard of care provided by medical and midwifery staff at the hospital? (2) Is the minister aware of the high level of community concern about the prospect of obstetric services being withdrawn? (3) Is it the government’s intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital at the end of December this year; and, if not, when? (4) What improvements will have been made to the obstetric department at Swan District Hospital by the time obstetric services are withdrawn from Kalamunda hospital, and at what cost? (5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(2) Is the minister aware of the high level of community concern about the prospect of obstetric services being withdrawn? (3) Is it the government’s intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital at the end of December this year; and, if not, when? (4) What improvements will have been made to the obstetric department at Swan District Hospital by the time obstetric services are withdrawn from Kalamunda hospital, and at what cost? (5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(3) Is it the government’s intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital at the end of December this year; and, if not, when? (4) What improvements will have been made to the obstetric department at Swan District Hospital by the time obstetric services are withdrawn from Kalamunda hospital, and at what cost? (5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(4) What improvements will have been made to the obstetric department at Swan District Hospital by the time obstetric services are withdrawn from Kalamunda hospital, and at what cost? (5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
[Applause.]
(1) Is the minister aware of the high standard of care provided by medical and midwifery staff at the hospital? (2) Is the minister aware of the high level of community concern about the prospect of obstetric services being withdrawn? (3) Is it the government’s intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital at the end of December this year; and, if not, when? (4) What improvements will have been made to the obstetric department at Swan District Hospital by the time obstetric services are withdrawn from Kalamunda hospital, and at what cost? (5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(2) Is the minister aware of the high level of community concern about the prospect of obstetric services being withdrawn? (3) Is it the government’s intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital at the end of December this year; and, if not, when? (4) What improvements will have been made to the obstetric department at Swan District Hospital by the time obstetric services are withdrawn from Kalamunda hospital, and at what cost? (5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(3) Is it the government’s intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital at the end of December this year; and, if not, when? (4) What improvements will have been made to the obstetric department at Swan District Hospital by the time obstetric services are withdrawn from Kalamunda hospital, and at what cost? (5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(4) What improvements will have been made to the obstetric department at Swan District Hospital by the time obstetric services are withdrawn from Kalamunda hospital, and at what cost? (5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(5) In view of the loss of medical and midwifery expertise, which will occur if obstetric services are withdrawn, will the minister reconsider his very unfortunate intention to withdraw obstetric services from Kalamunda hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(1)-(2) Yes. I am aware of the standard of care provided by the staff at Kalamunda hospital. Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
Mr J.H.D. Day : The high standard. Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
Mr J.A. McGINTY : I am aware of the standard, which is a high standard. I am also very aware of the level of community concern about changes to the way in which services have been delivered at Kalamunda hospital. (3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
(3)-(5) I refer specifically to question (3) as well as to general questions related to health services. The health system is undergoing monumental change. Those changes have their origins in the Reid report of March 2004 and “The Clinical Services Plan” tabled in Parliament some months ago. For the first time in the history of this state a report contains a detailed plan of where health services will be delivered to reflect the needs and the realities of the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the big debate about health services is focused on hospitals such as Royal Perth Hospital, the proposed Fiona Stanley hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital and the rebuilding of all our general hospitals at the four points of the metropolitan area - Joondalup, Swan districts, Armadale and Rockingham - we are fundamentally rebuilding our health services to make sure they can cope with future demands. This means that changes will be made that will cause some concern in local communities. Recommendations in the clinical services plan about obstetric services at Kalamunda hospital are consistent with the Reid recommendations, and before that the recommendations of Harry Cohen, in his obstetric services review. The basic guiding principle of those reports was the safety of mothers and babies. They recommended that, in future, obstetric or childbirthing services be delivered at a reduced number of sites. That also reflects the reality that has emerged in recent years of staffing shortages, particularly among obstetricians, a matter that has been debated recently in this place in the context of the Limitation Bill, which was designed to increase the supply of obstetricians. This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future. Mr J.H.D. Day : Why not say when the upgrade of Swan District Hospital will be completed? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
This government will act on the basis of a plan, which we hope to have finalised by July. That plan will guide the future of health delivery in this state for decades. The days in which health care decisions are based on political opportunism and adhocery are gone. We will not do that. A very simple example of that opportunism occurred during the recent election campaign when the opposition parties thought they could win the seat of Albany from our good friend the member for Albany. They were wrong about that. A promise was made by the Liberal Party in the dying days of the election campaign to build a new hospital in Albany. A new hospital is not needed, and the National Party knew that and called it a stupid idea. National Party members distanced themselves from it. That is an example of a silly decision involving tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to achieve a political outcome, and that will not occur in the future. We expect the clinical services plan to be finalised in July. It will hold the answer to the member for Darling Range’s question, and we will be able to advise in great detail how services will be delivered in the future.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member’s question is premature, if he will excuse the pun. When the clinical services plan is finalised, I expect that it will involve the relocation of obstetric services from Kalamunda to Swan District Hospital. Work is currently being done to upgrade the maternity section at Swan District Hospital in anticipation of that. I cannot say when as a matter of certainty until such time as the report is finalised. That report will lock away a plan for the future, and that will determine all future services in health care delivery for decades for this state. Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
Mr J.H.D. Day : No decision has been made on the timing? Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The maternity section at Swan District Hospital is being upgraded in anticipation of a change. A decision has not been made that that change will take place in December, as is implied in the member for Darling Range’s question. A date has not been determined, and there has not been a final sign-off on when that will occur. I expect it will occur as part of the clinical services plan that we intend to follow. The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
The SPEAKER : I acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s gallery of Mr Bhakta Gubhaju, the head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Mr Phua Kok Tee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Action Group of Elders. [Applause.]
[Applause.]
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