❓ Mr. Cook inquires about the decommissioning of linacs at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) following the commissioning of radiotherapy services at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH), access to radiotherapy, and a review of oncology services. The Minister clarifies the budget item, linac operations, and the status of the oncology services review.
AnsweredQoN 4316Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to page 141 in Budget Paper 2 of the State Budget under the Medical Oncology Development at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) which shows work that should be completed this year and ask: (a) does this work relate to the decommissioning of
the 2 linacs at RPH, which were meant to cease operating with the commissioning
of radiotherapy services at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) in February 2015,
which is meant to have a full complement of 4 linacs; (b) have any patients at FSH or RPH not been able to access radiotherapy within clinically recommended
timeframes for between February and June this year; (c) can you confirm FSH only has 2 linacs operating,
or has a 3rd one now commenced operating; (d) when will the 4th linac at FSH be
operational; (e) given the delays in FSH having all 4 linacs on
deck, and much higher than expected demand for radiotherapy at FSH, will plans
still proceed to decommission both linacs at RPH, or will at least one linac be
retained at RPH? In the Assembly estimates the Director General seemed to
indicate that some oncology services might need to go back to RPH; (f) I understand the overflow of patients for linacs
at RPH were being sent to genesis for radiotherapy, at no cost to the patient,
up until February this year when the 2 linacs at FSH started
operating - has the State Government
re-negotiated a new contract with Genesis for the overflow of public patients
requiring radiotherapy; (g) have operating hours of all LINACS in the Perth
metro area been extended to cope with current demand until the extra LINACs at
FSH are operating at full capacity; and (h) the Director General of Health mentioned in the Assembly estimates that a Statewide review of oncology services has
just been completed. Can you please provide me with a copy of the review?
the 2 linacs at RPH, which were meant to cease operating with the commissioning
of radiotherapy services at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) in February 2015,
which is meant to have a full complement of 4 linacs; (b) have any patients at FSH or RPH not been able to access radiotherapy within clinically recommended
timeframes for between February and June this year; (c) can you confirm FSH only has 2 linacs operating,
or has a 3rd one now commenced operating; (d) when will the 4th linac at FSH be
operational; (e) given the delays in FSH having all 4 linacs on
deck, and much higher than expected demand for radiotherapy at FSH, will plans
still proceed to decommission both linacs at RPH, or will at least one linac be
retained at RPH? In the Assembly estimates the Director General seemed to
indicate that some oncology services might need to go back to RPH; (f) I understand the overflow of patients for linacs
at RPH were being sent to genesis for radiotherapy, at no cost to the patient,
up until February this year when the 2 linacs at FSH started
operating - has the State Government
re-negotiated a new contract with Genesis for the overflow of public patients
requiring radiotherapy; (g) have operating hours of all LINACS in the Perth
metro area been extended to cope with current demand until the extra LINACs at
FSH are operating at full capacity; and (h) the Director General of Health mentioned in the Assembly estimates that a Statewide review of oncology services has
just been completed. Can you please provide me with a copy of the review?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 September 2015
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
35 days
Answer as at 11/08/15 -
(a) Page 141 of the State Budget papers does not relate to the decommissioning of the linacs at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH). This relates to the redevelopment, refurbishment and building works in the Medical Oncology Unit (different to the radiation oncology unit where the linacs are located).
(b) No, all patients were managed within acceptable clinical guidelines.
(c) Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) has three linacs fully operational.
(d-e) The Department of Health are undertaking a review of oncology services in the metropolitan area which will inform the delivery of future radiation oncology services including the location of linac equipment.
(f) The overflow of patients from FSH is currently being managed at RPH. The extra capacity created by the four linacs in service between RPH and FSH is able to accommodate the overflow. Thus, there is not a contract in place for overflow of patients requiring radiotherapy.
(g) Operating hours are currently extended only if demand requires. There is more capacity in the system currently than before the opening of FSH.
(h) A report has been submitted to the Director General of the Department of Health and is presently being considered. It will not be considered completed until the director general has endorsed the report.
(a) Page 141 of the State Budget papers does not relate to the decommissioning of the linacs at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH). This relates to the redevelopment, refurbishment and building works in the Medical Oncology Unit (different to the radiation oncology unit where the linacs are located).
(b) No, all patients were managed within acceptable clinical guidelines.
(c) Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) has three linacs fully operational.
(d-e) The Department of Health are undertaking a review of oncology services in the metropolitan area which will inform the delivery of future radiation oncology services including the location of linac equipment.
(f) The overflow of patients from FSH is currently being managed at RPH. The extra capacity created by the four linacs in service between RPH and FSH is able to accommodate the overflow. Thus, there is not a contract in place for overflow of patients requiring radiotherapy.
(g) Operating hours are currently extended only if demand requires. There is more capacity in the system currently than before the opening of FSH.
(h) A report has been submitted to the Director General of the Department of Health and is presently being considered. It will not be considered completed until the director general has endorsed the report.
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