❓ Mr. Rundle questions the Minister for Health about the state of regional hospitals, particularly in Geraldton and Margaret River. The Minister rejects the premise, highlighting record investment and ongoing redevelopments.
AnsweredQoN 265Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HOSPITALS —
REGIONS
265. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the dilapidated nature of
the state's regional hospital network.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that after all the fanfare of her extended promise to
redevelop Geraldton Health Campus she has no idea when it will be delivered?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that she has neglected providing the much-needed upgrades for
Margaret River Hospital, despite it being a top priority for the WA Country
Health Service?
REGIONS
265. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the dilapidated nature of
the state's regional hospital network.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that after all the fanfare of her extended promise to
redevelop Geraldton Health Campus she has no idea when it will be delivered?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that she has neglected providing the much-needed upgrades for
Margaret River Hospital, despite it being a top priority for the WA Country
Health Service?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I reject the entire premise of that question
because it is wrong; it is absolutely wrong. Again, the opposition is doing
a great disservice to the incredible staff and team in our WA Country Health
Service. There has been record investment in
Western Australian hospitals, including in regional hospitals, by this
government . This government has done more than the former government
ever did for regional hospitals, despite the shonky process it had for
royalties for regions. We are redeveloping hospitals across Western Australia,
including in Geraldton and Bunbury—Busselton had a major revamp—Karratha
and Port Hedland. They are all receiving significant redevelopments.
The
member is absolutely wrong about the Geraldton Health Campus. In this year's
budget, the government committed $49 million extra to complete that
redevelopment. That redevelopment is already underway and started, with enabling works and the car park to
support its expansion. Instead of criticising the redevelopment , the
member might want to go and speak to the staff who work in that hospital
because they are over the moon.
We
know that the construction tenders are coming in exceptionally high in the
midwest because there is particular pressure around rebuilding after
cyclone Seroja as well as COVID-19 pressures on the construction industry.
Instead of just sitting on our hands, the government is putting in $50 million
to complete that redevelopment. The staff are thrilled. It will make an
enormous difference to the capacity of that hospital. A 12-bed acute mental
health ward will be a game changer for the midwest and they are excited about
it and supportive of it, and I encourage the member to be the same.
because it is wrong; it is absolutely wrong. Again, the opposition is doing
a great disservice to the incredible staff and team in our WA Country Health
Service. There has been record investment in
Western Australian hospitals, including in regional hospitals, by this
government . This government has done more than the former government
ever did for regional hospitals, despite the shonky process it had for
royalties for regions. We are redeveloping hospitals across Western Australia,
including in Geraldton and Bunbury—Busselton had a major revamp—Karratha
and Port Hedland. They are all receiving significant redevelopments.
The
member is absolutely wrong about the Geraldton Health Campus. In this year's
budget, the government committed $49 million extra to complete that
redevelopment. That redevelopment is already underway and started, with enabling works and the car park to
support its expansion. Instead of criticising the redevelopment , the
member might want to go and speak to the staff who work in that hospital
because they are over the moon.
We
know that the construction tenders are coming in exceptionally high in the
midwest because there is particular pressure around rebuilding after
cyclone Seroja as well as COVID-19 pressures on the construction industry.
Instead of just sitting on our hands, the government is putting in $50 million
to complete that redevelopment. The staff are thrilled. It will make an
enormous difference to the capacity of that hospital. A 12-bed acute mental
health ward will be a game changer for the midwest and they are excited about
it and supportive of it, and I encourage the member to be the same.
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