❓ Dr. Hames questions the Minister for Health about emergency department overcrowding, ambulance ramping, and patient welfare. The Minister acknowledges the problem, attributing it to GP unavailability and increased demand, while highlighting government efforts to improve healthcare.
AnsweredQoN 688Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS
I refer to the inability of the government to reduce tertiary hospital occupancy rates below 95 per cent, causing enormous pressure on our emergency departments. (1) Is the minister aware that the resultant 20 per cent over-capacity limit on emergency departments is causing recurrent and prolonged ramping of patients and ambulances outside emergency departments? (2) Is he aware that these “patients in waiting” often have no food or water or toilet facilities? (3) Is he aware that this week a patient with chest pain was queued for two hours outside Royal Perth Hospital emergency department before being placed on a monitor, which, I might add, was provided by the ambulance drivers? (4) Does he concede that it is inevitable that deaths of patients waiting in these queues will occur? Mr J.A. McGINTY
I refer to the inability of the government to reduce tertiary hospital occupancy rates below 95 per cent, causing enormous pressure on our emergency departments. (1) Is the minister aware that the resultant 20 per cent over-capacity limit on emergency departments is causing recurrent and prolonged ramping of patients and ambulances outside emergency departments? (2) Is he aware that these “patients in waiting” often have no food or water or toilet facilities? (3) Is he aware that this week a patient with chest pain was queued for two hours outside Royal Perth Hospital emergency department before being placed on a monitor, which, I might add, was provided by the ambulance drivers? (4) Does he concede that it is inevitable that deaths of patients waiting in these queues will occur? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
(1) Is the minister aware that the resultant 20 per cent over-capacity limit on emergency departments is causing recurrent and prolonged ramping of patients and ambulances outside emergency departments? (2) Is he aware that these “patients in waiting” often have no food or water or toilet facilities? (3) Is he aware that this week a patient with chest pain was queued for two hours outside Royal Perth Hospital emergency department before being placed on a monitor, which, I might add, was provided by the ambulance drivers? (4) Does he concede that it is inevitable that deaths of patients waiting in these queues will occur? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
(2) Is he aware that these “patients in waiting” often have no food or water or toilet facilities? (3) Is he aware that this week a patient with chest pain was queued for two hours outside Royal Perth Hospital emergency department before being placed on a monitor, which, I might add, was provided by the ambulance drivers? (4) Does he concede that it is inevitable that deaths of patients waiting in these queues will occur? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
(3) Is he aware that this week a patient with chest pain was queued for two hours outside Royal Perth Hospital emergency department before being placed on a monitor, which, I might add, was provided by the ambulance drivers? (4) Does he concede that it is inevitable that deaths of patients waiting in these queues will occur? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
(4) Does he concede that it is inevitable that deaths of patients waiting in these queues will occur? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
(1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
(1) Is the minister aware that the resultant 20 per cent over-capacity limit on emergency departments is causing recurrent and prolonged ramping of patients and ambulances outside emergency departments? (2) Is he aware that these “patients in waiting” often have no food or water or toilet facilities? (3) Is he aware that this week a patient with chest pain was queued for two hours outside Royal Perth Hospital emergency department before being placed on a monitor, which, I might add, was provided by the ambulance drivers? (4) Does he concede that it is inevitable that deaths of patients waiting in these queues will occur? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
(2) Is he aware that these “patients in waiting” often have no food or water or toilet facilities? (3) Is he aware that this week a patient with chest pain was queued for two hours outside Royal Perth Hospital emergency department before being placed on a monitor, which, I might add, was provided by the ambulance drivers? (4) Does he concede that it is inevitable that deaths of patients waiting in these queues will occur? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
(3) Is he aware that this week a patient with chest pain was queued for two hours outside Royal Perth Hospital emergency department before being placed on a monitor, which, I might add, was provided by the ambulance drivers? (4) Does he concede that it is inevitable that deaths of patients waiting in these queues will occur? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
(4) Does he concede that it is inevitable that deaths of patients waiting in these queues will occur? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
(1)-(4) The member for Dawesville has correctly identified the single major problem confronting our public hospitals in this state. That is caused by the remorseless demand for emergency services, which has in part been caused by the lack of availability of general practitioners, as he would be aware. Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Dr K.D. Hames : I am told that that is only a small percentage of those presentations to EDs. Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : No; the issue is the unavailability of GP services, which of course is a commonwealth responsibility. It has meant that people get sicker and therefore present to emergency departments. I made the point yesterday, I think, that although the GP presentations that are billed to Medicare have been flatlining in Western Australia, the number of GP consultations that have occurred this year is the same as the number that occurred four years ago. The number has not varied over that period. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member should just let me answer the question. At the same time, members of the public are turning to the emergency departments in our general hospitals. Last year, 746 000 people were treated in the emergency departments in our public hospitals in this state. That number is growing at a dramatic rate. Compared with the equivalent quarter last year, there has been a 10 per cent increase; 20 000 more people are going to emergency departments seeking care and treatment. That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
That is the nature of the problem. I agree with the member for Dawesville that that is the single major problem facing the public hospitals in this state. There are always pressures and tensions, but they are being managed. For instance, the elective surgery waiting lists have been halved since we came to government. There are so many other things. Cancer care is immeasurably better because of the establishment of the cancer care plan and the cancer centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and members opposite know that. The building program of new hospitals, particularly throughout country Western Australia but also in the metropolitan area, is having a big impact. On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
On the issue of ramping, we have met in recent weeks with St John Ambulance Western Australia and we think that we have figured out a way to deal with that problem in times of peak demand to ensure that patients are properly cared for by trained, professional staff. Patients are not being left in the back of ambulances, as the member for Dawesville implied. Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Several members interjected. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system. Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Dr K.D. Hames : Yes I do. Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
Mr J.A. McGINTY : The member does not understand the system, and that is his problem. If he is suggesting otherwise, he is misleading this house. We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
We have given the ambulance association a massive injection of funds in the current contractual period to enable it to employ 100 more ambulance officers and provide more ambulances to cater for the needs of the public of Western Australia. Therefore, on those occasions when there is peak demand in our public hospitals, the ambulance officers can deliver their patients to a healthcare professional and then get back on the road to continue to serve the community. We have had those discussions with St John Ambulance and I am hopeful that the issue of ramping, which is one of the many issues that hang off the emergency departments as a problem, will be addressed.
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