❓ Opposition MP Kirkup questions the Minister for Health on the delay in funding the Joondalup Health Campus expansion, linking it to hospital wait times and violence. The Minister defends the government's commitment to healthcare in the northern suburbs and staff security, contrasting it with the previous government's record.
AnsweredQoN 853Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
JOONDALUP HEALTH CAMPUS
853. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the reinstatement of $180
million into the health budget that the minister previously cut. Why has the
minister not funded the $167 million to expand the Joondalup Health Campus as
promised at the last state election, which has actually had an impact on the
record wait lists and record violence that is occurring in our hospitals?
853. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the reinstatement of $180
million into the health budget that the minister previously cut. Why has the
minister not funded the $167 million to expand the Joondalup Health Campus as
promised at the last state election, which has actually had an impact on the
record wait lists and record violence that is occurring in our hospitals?
AnswerView source ↗
I am not sure whether the member is
talking about Joondalup Health Campus or violence in our hospitals, but I am
very pleased to talk about both. We have $160 million in the budget—in
excess of that—for provisioning for the Joondalup Health Campus,
because we have a commitment to make sure that the people in the northern
suburbs of Perth get the very best possible health care. That vision has been
driven by this government, and by the members for Wanneroo, Joondalup, Kingsley
and Girrawheen, for years—trying to make sure that the people of the
northern suburbs get the best health care possible. Essentially, they want a government
that puts patients first, and that is what this government is doing. We are
continuing to look at the scope of that particular hospital project, and as we
get a better line of sight on that and agree with the private provider that
operates that hospital, we will be in a position to then finalise the costings
and move forward as soon as possible. We are getting on with the job of
investing in health care in the northern suburbs. That is the reason we have
met our election commitment to have the new stroke service installed in the
Joondalup hospital. That is why we are investing in new neonatal facilities and
new rehabilitation facilities at Osborne Park Hospital. That is why we are a government
that is committed to the health care of Western Australians.
In addition to that, we want to make
sure that the staff working in our hospitals can provide care for the patients
they are called to provide care for, which is the reason we have put such a strong
emphasis on the security of our staff. It is the reason we took a commitment to
the election to make sure that we have better security for staff—something
that members opposite did not do when in government. It is the reason we have
responded to the needs of frontline hospital workers by taking proactive
measures to invest $5 million to make sure that our hospital leaders have the resources they need to improve
security, make sure we have the resources to have a public awareness campaign around violence in our hospitals, and to make sure that we have better
protocols with the police for the handover of particular patients. This is in
stark contrast with the performance of the previous government. Both Hon Kim Hames and Hon John Day, when confronted
with the issues of violence in our hospitals said, ''We're doing enough; we don't need to take any extra measures; we don't need
to protect the staff in our hospitals.'' That is not the standard that
we hold, which is the reason we are working tirelessly, investing in our
hospitals to make sure that our staff have the best possible facilities, and
that our patients have the best possible services.
talking about Joondalup Health Campus or violence in our hospitals, but I am
very pleased to talk about both. We have $160 million in the budget—in
excess of that—for provisioning for the Joondalup Health Campus,
because we have a commitment to make sure that the people in the northern
suburbs of Perth get the very best possible health care. That vision has been
driven by this government, and by the members for Wanneroo, Joondalup, Kingsley
and Girrawheen, for years—trying to make sure that the people of the
northern suburbs get the best health care possible. Essentially, they want a government
that puts patients first, and that is what this government is doing. We are
continuing to look at the scope of that particular hospital project, and as we
get a better line of sight on that and agree with the private provider that
operates that hospital, we will be in a position to then finalise the costings
and move forward as soon as possible. We are getting on with the job of
investing in health care in the northern suburbs. That is the reason we have
met our election commitment to have the new stroke service installed in the
Joondalup hospital. That is why we are investing in new neonatal facilities and
new rehabilitation facilities at Osborne Park Hospital. That is why we are a government
that is committed to the health care of Western Australians.
In addition to that, we want to make
sure that the staff working in our hospitals can provide care for the patients
they are called to provide care for, which is the reason we have put such a strong
emphasis on the security of our staff. It is the reason we took a commitment to
the election to make sure that we have better security for staff—something
that members opposite did not do when in government. It is the reason we have
responded to the needs of frontline hospital workers by taking proactive
measures to invest $5 million to make sure that our hospital leaders have the resources they need to improve
security, make sure we have the resources to have a public awareness campaign around violence in our hospitals, and to make sure that we have better
protocols with the police for the handover of particular patients. This is in
stark contrast with the performance of the previous government. Both Hon Kim Hames and Hon John Day, when confronted
with the issues of violence in our hospitals said, ''We're doing enough; we don't need to take any extra measures; we don't need
to protect the staff in our hospitals.'' That is not the standard that
we hold, which is the reason we are working tirelessly, investing in our
hospitals to make sure that our staff have the best possible facilities, and
that our patients have the best possible services.
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