❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the future of maternity wards at Bentley and Kaleeya Hospitals in light of the upcoming Fiona Stanley Hospital opening. The questions probe operational costs, budget allocations, refurbishment plans, and potential impacts on patient access.
AnsweredQoN 8735Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the maternity wards at Bentley and Kaleeya Hospitals, and the Minister's statement that he will close the maternity ward at Kaleeya, and review the future of the maternity ward at Bentley based on the number of deliveries being performed at Bentley once Fiona Stanley Hospital is operational in early 2014, and I ask:
(a) over what period of time will Bentley maternity ward be reviewed before making a decision around its retention or cessation;
(b) what were the operational costs of the maternity ward at Bentley over the last financial year;
(c) has the Department of Health allocated money in the budget forward estimates to cover the estimated operating costs of the Bentley maternity ward for beyond the 2013–2014 financial year and if not, why not;
(d) has the Department of Health allocated money in budget forward estimates to cover the estimated operating costs of the Bentley maternity ward for 2014–2015 and 2015–2016, to cover the scenario that demand still warrants Bentley's retention, and if not, why not;
(e) what is the estimated cost of required refurbishments to the Bentley maternity ward, which I understand have been placed on hold until a decision will be made around its future;
(f) if Bentley closes, will all low-risk births that would previously have fallen under the Bentley maternity ward be referred to Fiona Stanley Hospital, or will they be divided between Royal Perth, Armadale and Fiona Stanley, depending on which would be their closest public hospital with a maternity ward;
(g) is the Minister aware that for some women in the Bentley Hospital feeder district, such as those living in Victoria Park, the trip to Fiona Stanley Hospital would take at least 20 minutes (during normal traffic conditions) whereas the trip to Bentley would take on average around only 5 minutes and that the extra commuting time required may provide additional stress to women during labour;
(h) given that the Minister has cited that at 'around 1,000' births per annum a maternity service remains viable, and Kaleeya Hospital has been averaging around this number of births per annum over the past 5 years, will he reconsider his decision to close the maternity ward at Kaleeya, and if not, why not; and
(i) what were the operational costs of the maternity ward at Kaleeya during the last financial year?
(a) over what period of time will Bentley maternity ward be reviewed before making a decision around its retention or cessation;
(b) what were the operational costs of the maternity ward at Bentley over the last financial year;
(c) has the Department of Health allocated money in the budget forward estimates to cover the estimated operating costs of the Bentley maternity ward for beyond the 2013–2014 financial year and if not, why not;
(d) has the Department of Health allocated money in budget forward estimates to cover the estimated operating costs of the Bentley maternity ward for 2014–2015 and 2015–2016, to cover the scenario that demand still warrants Bentley's retention, and if not, why not;
(e) what is the estimated cost of required refurbishments to the Bentley maternity ward, which I understand have been placed on hold until a decision will be made around its future;
(f) if Bentley closes, will all low-risk births that would previously have fallen under the Bentley maternity ward be referred to Fiona Stanley Hospital, or will they be divided between Royal Perth, Armadale and Fiona Stanley, depending on which would be their closest public hospital with a maternity ward;
(g) is the Minister aware that for some women in the Bentley Hospital feeder district, such as those living in Victoria Park, the trip to Fiona Stanley Hospital would take at least 20 minutes (during normal traffic conditions) whereas the trip to Bentley would take on average around only 5 minutes and that the extra commuting time required may provide additional stress to women during labour;
(h) given that the Minister has cited that at 'around 1,000' births per annum a maternity service remains viable, and Kaleeya Hospital has been averaging around this number of births per annum over the past 5 years, will he reconsider his decision to close the maternity ward at Kaleeya, and if not, why not; and
(i) what were the operational costs of the maternity ward at Kaleeya during the last financial year?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 November 2012
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
42 days
(a) The continuation of obstetric services at Bentley Health Service (BHS) will be re-considered once Fiona Stanley Hospital opens. The timeframe for this review has not been determined.
(b) Total Operational Costs (rounded figure): $5,464,547.
(c) The Department of Health's forward estimates are determined by reference to projected activity levels and the configuration of services in the
Clinical Services Framework 2010-2020.
Planned obstetric activity levels in 2013?14 and beyond are therefore funded.
(d) The Department of Health is funded to deliver agreed levels of public hospital activity in the service configuration set out in the
Clinical Services Framework 2010
?
2020
. If activity exceeds budgeted parameters, funding to the DOH is able to be adjusted through the budget process. From 2014?15, under the National Health Reform Agreement, the Commonwealth Government will provide additional funding to the State if aggregate public hospital activity exceeds planned levels.
(e)
Major Works
Total refurbishment to previous Architects (Bateman Grundmann) proposal (12 December 2008) ? $4 million.
Minor Works
Funding for Minor Works refurbishment has been apportioned from 2011?2012 and 2012?2013 Minor Works Budget accordingly:
- $40,000 Second Bathroom for labour room.
- $165,000 Ward 2 / Maternity minor refurbishment.
(f) Royal Perth Hospital does not provide maternity services. Women who previously would have delivered at BHS would be redirected to their closest maternity service. This may be King Edward Memorial Hospital, Armadale or Fiona Stanley dependent on where they live.
(g) It is recognised that some women will be required to travel further to deliver babies if BHS Maternity Service closes.
(h) The Clinical Services Framework 2005 - 2015 shows Kaleeya Hospital's Obstetrics Unit will close with demand being picked up by the Fiona Stanley Hospital. This was initiated by the former Labor Government. At this stage there is no reason to deviate from this plan.
(i) Total Operational Costs - $12,377,000.
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(b) Total Operational Costs (rounded figure): $5,464,547.
(c) The Department of Health's forward estimates are determined by reference to projected activity levels and the configuration of services in the
Clinical Services Framework 2010-2020.
Planned obstetric activity levels in 2013?14 and beyond are therefore funded.
(d) The Department of Health is funded to deliver agreed levels of public hospital activity in the service configuration set out in the
Clinical Services Framework 2010
?
2020
. If activity exceeds budgeted parameters, funding to the DOH is able to be adjusted through the budget process. From 2014?15, under the National Health Reform Agreement, the Commonwealth Government will provide additional funding to the State if aggregate public hospital activity exceeds planned levels.
(e)
Major Works
Total refurbishment to previous Architects (Bateman Grundmann) proposal (12 December 2008) ? $4 million.
Minor Works
Funding for Minor Works refurbishment has been apportioned from 2011?2012 and 2012?2013 Minor Works Budget accordingly:
- $40,000 Second Bathroom for labour room.
- $165,000 Ward 2 / Maternity minor refurbishment.
(f) Royal Perth Hospital does not provide maternity services. Women who previously would have delivered at BHS would be redirected to their closest maternity service. This may be King Edward Memorial Hospital, Armadale or Fiona Stanley dependent on where they live.
(g) It is recognised that some women will be required to travel further to deliver babies if BHS Maternity Service closes.
(h) The Clinical Services Framework 2005 - 2015 shows Kaleeya Hospital's Obstetrics Unit will close with demand being picked up by the Fiona Stanley Hospital. This was initiated by the former Labor Government. At this stage there is no reason to deviate from this plan.
(i) Total Operational Costs - $12,377,000.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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