❓ Question regarding the status and funding of the Geraldton Radiation Oncology Unit, including correspondence, costs, and Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) data. The answer provides some data and refers to tabled papers, but avoids committing to funding the shortfall, citing market conditions and cabinet confidentiality.
AnsweredQoN 1612Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the status of the Geraldton Radiation Oncology Unit, and I ask: (a) since the Federal Election in May 2022, have you written to the Federal Minister for Health regarding additional funding to deliver this much-needed facility for Mid West residents; (b) please table any correspondence between you and the the Federal Government in relation to this issue; (c) what is the total value of outstanding funding required to deliver this project; (d) will a Radiation Oncology unit be incorporated into the Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment as stated during WA Health budget estimates; (e) please table the business case for the Geraldton Radiation Oncology unit which was referred to during WA Health budget estimates; (f) noting the Cook Labor Government's significant budget surplus and your commitment to ensure all Western Australians have access to top quality healthcare no matter where they live, will you commit to funding the budget shortfall for this project; (g) if no to (f), why not; (h) for each of the financial years, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 to date, please provide a breakdown of: (i) the number of Mid West patients who have received the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) to access speciality radiation oncology services each year; (ii) the total number of PATS trips made by Mid West residents to access specialty radiation oncology services each year; and (iii) the total cost in PATS subsidies for Mid West residents to access speciality radiation oncology services each year; and (i) please table the Community Health and Hospitals Program Project Agreement in relation to the $9 million in Federal funding for this project.?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 November 2023
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health
Response time
15 days
(a-b) Yes. See Tabled Paper No.####. The State Government is continuing to work with the Commonwealth to progress this project.
It was clear from the outset that the $9 million election commitment made by the previous Liberal-National Commonwealth Government in 2019 would not be sufficient to establish a service of this kind. The previous State Health Minister also wrote to his then Commonwealth counterpart requesting the commitment be honoured in full.
(c-g) A radiation oncology service remains under consideration for the redevelopment of Geraldton Health Campus. The full cost of this project, and therefore the quantum of additional funding required, is yet to be determined due to change in market conditions. The Business Case is Cabinet in Confidence.
(h) (i)
Financial year
Number of patients
20/21
88
21/22
87
22/23
93
Please note: PATS supports access to public and private services, and both inpatient and outpatient care not available locally.
(ii)
Financial year
Number of trips
20/21
450
21/22
411
22/23
460
(iii)
Financial year
PATS subsidies
20/21
$308,041
21/22
$410,313
22/23
$437,061
(i) Federal-State Agreements are publicly available through the Commonwealth’s Federal Financial Relations website. See Tabled Paper No.####.
It was clear from the outset that the $9 million election commitment made by the previous Liberal-National Commonwealth Government in 2019 would not be sufficient to establish a service of this kind. The previous State Health Minister also wrote to his then Commonwealth counterpart requesting the commitment be honoured in full.
(c-g) A radiation oncology service remains under consideration for the redevelopment of Geraldton Health Campus. The full cost of this project, and therefore the quantum of additional funding required, is yet to be determined due to change in market conditions. The Business Case is Cabinet in Confidence.
(h) (i)
Financial year
Number of patients
20/21
88
21/22
87
22/23
93
Please note: PATS supports access to public and private services, and both inpatient and outpatient care not available locally.
(ii)
Financial year
Number of trips
20/21
450
21/22
411
22/23
460
(iii)
Financial year
PATS subsidies
20/21
$308,041
21/22
$410,313
22/23
$437,061
(i) Federal-State Agreements are publicly available through the Commonwealth’s Federal Financial Relations website. See Tabled Paper No.####.
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