❓ Question regarding the Liberal-National government's funding commitment to support nurses and midwives, specifically how the money will be spent. The Minister details the allocation of the $28 million package.
AnsweredQoN 942Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NURSES AND MIDWIVES — GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : I ask the member for Ocean Reef to take his seat. I had given the call to the member for Ocean Reef. I formally call the Leader of the Opposition for the first time. Mr A.P. JACOB : My question is to the Minister for Health. It was very pleasing to see that the Liberal-National state government has today fulfilled yet another election commitment and provided additional funding to support our hospital nurses—such as my own wife—and midwives in the very important role that they play in our health system. Can the minister please explain the sorts of things the money will be spent on and other measures our government is taking to support our nurses and midwives? Dr K.D. HAMES
Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : I ask the member for Ocean Reef to take his seat. I had given the call to the member for Ocean Reef. I formally call the Leader of the Opposition for the first time. Mr A.P. JACOB : My question is to the Minister for Health. It was very pleasing to see that the Liberal-National state government has today fulfilled yet another election commitment and provided additional funding to support our hospital nurses—such as my own wife—and midwives in the very important role that they play in our health system. Can the minister please explain the sorts of things the money will be spent on and other measures our government is taking to support our nurses and midwives? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : I ask the member for Ocean Reef to take his seat. I had given the call to the member for Ocean Reef. I formally call the Leader of the Opposition for the first time. Mr A.P. JACOB : My question is to the Minister for Health. It was very pleasing to see that the Liberal-National state government has today fulfilled yet another election commitment and provided additional funding to support our hospital nurses—such as my own wife—and midwives in the very important role that they play in our health system. Can the minister please explain the sorts of things the money will be spent on and other measures our government is taking to support our nurses and midwives? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
The SPEAKER : I ask the member for Ocean Reef to take his seat. I had given the call to the member for Ocean Reef. I formally call the Leader of the Opposition for the first time. Mr A.P. JACOB : My question is to the Minister for Health. It was very pleasing to see that the Liberal-National state government has today fulfilled yet another election commitment and provided additional funding to support our hospital nurses—such as my own wife—and midwives in the very important role that they play in our health system. Can the minister please explain the sorts of things the money will be spent on and other measures our government is taking to support our nurses and midwives? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
Mr A.P. JACOB : My question is to the Minister for Health. It was very pleasing to see that the Liberal-National state government has today fulfilled yet another election commitment and provided additional funding to support our hospital nurses—such as my own wife—and midwives in the very important role that they play in our health system. Can the minister please explain the sorts of things the money will be spent on and other measures our government is taking to support our nurses and midwives? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : I ask the member for Ocean Reef to take his seat. I had given the call to the member for Ocean Reef. I formally call the Leader of the Opposition for the first time. Mr A.P. JACOB : My question is to the Minister for Health. It was very pleasing to see that the Liberal-National state government has today fulfilled yet another election commitment and provided additional funding to support our hospital nurses—such as my own wife—and midwives in the very important role that they play in our health system. Can the minister please explain the sorts of things the money will be spent on and other measures our government is taking to support our nurses and midwives? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
The SPEAKER : I ask the member for Ocean Reef to take his seat. I had given the call to the member for Ocean Reef. I formally call the Leader of the Opposition for the first time. Mr A.P. JACOB : My question is to the Minister for Health. It was very pleasing to see that the Liberal-National state government has today fulfilled yet another election commitment and provided additional funding to support our hospital nurses—such as my own wife—and midwives in the very important role that they play in our health system. Can the minister please explain the sorts of things the money will be spent on and other measures our government is taking to support our nurses and midwives? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
Mr A.P. JACOB : My question is to the Minister for Health. It was very pleasing to see that the Liberal-National state government has today fulfilled yet another election commitment and provided additional funding to support our hospital nurses—such as my own wife—and midwives in the very important role that they play in our health system. Can the minister please explain the sorts of things the money will be spent on and other measures our government is taking to support our nurses and midwives? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
That is an excellent question, and I thank the member for Ocean Reef for putting it together. As we know, when we were coming up to the last election, the hospital system was in crisis under the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
Dr K.D. HAMES : We came up with some great policies in opposition to address some of the shortcomings we saw in the government. I refer to things like looking after what Mr McGinty described as a self-interest group—the Royal Flying Doctor Service; making sure that we significantly increased funding for the patient assisted travel scheme; providing funding for rural hospitals and rural health services; and committing to maintain Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. One of the commitments we made in opposition was to better look after the needs of nurses and midwives in the hospital system. We put together a package of $28 million over four years that was designed to do two things. Part of that reflected the previous government’s allocation of funding for some childcare centres. We maintained that commitment, but the rest of the $28 million was to go on a full-time equivalent basis to all the health staff throughout Western Australia—nurses, midwives and some of the ancillary workers in other areas—and let them decide what they needed to do to upgrade their conditions of employment. It was left totally up to them to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their funds. We wanted to recognise the extremely valuable service that nurses and midwives provide to patients in Western Australia. I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
I am pleased to say that we announced today the rollout of that fund. I was at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, this time with the member for Nedlands—I thank him for his attendance—where we handed over that money to the nurses. In talking to the nurses there, it was very interesting to note the sorts of uses to which they were putting that money. They were going to put a lot of it into their own professional development. The nurses making sure they have additional training will be something that will greatly benefit patients of the future. Some are using the funds to upgrade staff areas. Often their staff areas are used not just for sitting in and having lunch, but also partly as an educational facility where they do training. Some of the funds will be used for training equipment. Specialist training equipment is what the nurses got today. Some are using the funds for a range of other more minor equipment. Everybody is concerned that the government should be funding and providing equipment. We are providing an additional $47 million for equipment this year. However, the nurses explained to me that often the allocation for a ward may buy three bladder scanners, for example, but the staff say that it would be a great benefit to them to have an extra couple of those to do their work properly. They want extra equipment that is not part of the normal package, and equipment that is perhaps not a priority. Some of the rural hospitals are getting specialised lifting equipment. There is, therefore, a range of things that the nurses are getting. This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
This fund will be rolled out over four years. Nurses and midwives will continue to decide the items on which they want the money to be spent. It was a great initiative and it was certainly strongly welcomed by the staff I met today.
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