Question on Notice regarding the transfer of services from Woodside Maternity Hospital to Fremantle Kaleeya Hospital, specifically questioning the speed of the move and planned nursing salary reductions. The Minister's response defends the timeline and cites efficiency gains.

AnsweredQoN 27Legislative Council
Asked
15 March 2006
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

WOODSIDE MATERNITY HOSPITAL - TRANSFER OF SERVICES TO FREMANTLE KALEEYA HOSPITAL
I refer to the Woodside Maternity Hospital. (1) I note that the South Metropolitan Area Health Service chief executive officer, Ms Linda Smith, advised in the briefing note to the minister that the move of Woodside Maternity Hospital services would take 14 months, because that was the time required to properly plan and complete the move of Woodside hospital services to Fremantle Kaleeya Hospital. Why did the minister order the move to be made in three months? (2) The minister has claimed a saving of $1.5 million a year on operating costs by moving Woodside hospital services to Kaleeya hospital. Over half this saving is on nursing salaries. What measures are planned to reduce the nursing salaries budget by 40 per cent, or $837 000, from $2 091 027 a year to $1 254 616 a year? Hon SUE ELLERY

AnswerView source ↗

(1) Timing of the relocation of the service was at the discretion of the chief executive following consultation with a number of parties. Fourteen months was an initial estimate based on various conditions and assumptions. This estimate was subsequently reviewed and a plan was put in place to achieve the transfer of services within three months. The relocation of maternity facilities from Woodside is in line with the recommendations of the Reid report and the statewide obstetrics services review conducted by Dr Harry Cohen. (2) Efficiencies in staffing the unit will be achieved due to the unit being managed in a larger hospital, as distinct from being a stand-alone facility. The exact savings on nursing salaries have not been confirmed but relate to a change in the mix of services provided at Kaleeya hospital.
(1) I note that the South Metropolitan Area Health Service chief executive officer, Ms Linda Smith, advised in the briefing note to the minister that the move of Woodside Maternity Hospital services would take 14 months, because that was the time required to properly plan and complete the move of Woodside hospital services to Fremantle Kaleeya Hospital. Why did the minister order the move to be made in three months? (2) The minister has claimed a saving of $1.5 million a year on operating costs by moving Woodside hospital services to Kaleeya hospital. Over half this saving is on nursing salaries. What measures are planned to reduce the nursing salaries budget by 40 per cent, or $837 000, from $2 091 027 a year to $1 254 616 a year? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) Timing of the relocation of the service was at the discretion of the chief executive following consultation with a number of parties. Fourteen months was an initial estimate based on various conditions and assumptions. This estimate was subsequently reviewed and a plan was put in place to achieve the transfer of services within three months. The relocation of maternity facilities from Woodside is in line with the recommendations of the Reid report and the statewide obstetrics services review conducted by Dr Harry Cohen. (2) Efficiencies in staffing the unit will be achieved due to the unit being managed in a larger hospital, as distinct from being a stand-alone facility. The exact savings on nursing salaries have not been confirmed but relate to a change in the mix of services provided at Kaleeya hospital.
(2) The minister has claimed a saving of $1.5 million a year on operating costs by moving Woodside hospital services to Kaleeya hospital. Over half this saving is on nursing salaries. What measures are planned to reduce the nursing salaries budget by 40 per cent, or $837 000, from $2 091 027 a year to $1 254 616 a year? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) Timing of the relocation of the service was at the discretion of the chief executive following consultation with a number of parties. Fourteen months was an initial estimate based on various conditions and assumptions. This estimate was subsequently reviewed and a plan was put in place to achieve the transfer of services within three months. The relocation of maternity facilities from Woodside is in line with the recommendations of the Reid report and the statewide obstetrics services review conducted by Dr Harry Cohen. (2) Efficiencies in staffing the unit will be achieved due to the unit being managed in a larger hospital, as distinct from being a stand-alone facility. The exact savings on nursing salaries have not been confirmed but relate to a change in the mix of services provided at Kaleeya hospital.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) Timing of the relocation of the service was at the discretion of the chief executive following consultation with a number of parties. Fourteen months was an initial estimate based on various conditions and assumptions. This estimate was subsequently reviewed and a plan was put in place to achieve the transfer of services within three months. The relocation of maternity facilities from Woodside is in line with the recommendations of the Reid report and the statewide obstetrics services review conducted by Dr Harry Cohen. (2) Efficiencies in staffing the unit will be achieved due to the unit being managed in a larger hospital, as distinct from being a stand-alone facility. The exact savings on nursing salaries have not been confirmed but relate to a change in the mix of services provided at Kaleeya hospital.
(1) Timing of the relocation of the service was at the discretion of the chief executive following consultation with a number of parties. Fourteen months was an initial estimate based on various conditions and assumptions. This estimate was subsequently reviewed and a plan was put in place to achieve the transfer of services within three months. The relocation of maternity facilities from Woodside is in line with the recommendations of the Reid report and the statewide obstetrics services review conducted by Dr Harry Cohen. (2) Efficiencies in staffing the unit will be achieved due to the unit being managed in a larger hospital, as distinct from being a stand-alone facility. The exact savings on nursing salaries have not been confirmed but relate to a change in the mix of services provided at Kaleeya hospital.
(2) Efficiencies in staffing the unit will be achieved due to the unit being managed in a larger hospital, as distinct from being a stand-alone facility. The exact savings on nursing salaries have not been confirmed but relate to a change in the mix of services provided at Kaleeya hospital.

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