❓ Opposition Leader Mettam questions the Health Minister about low nurse/midwife numbers per capita, attributing it to poor government policy. The Minister refutes this, citing increased FTE numbers and criticising the opposition's privatisation policies.
AnsweredQoN 73Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NURSES AND MIDWIVES — RECRUITMENT
73. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question. How
can the minister justify having the lowest number of nurses and midwives per
thousand —
Several members interjected.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Minister
and members! Sorry, Leader of the Liberal Party. Opposition members have an
opportunity to ask questions of ministers. Can that be done in silence, please?
Ms L. METTAM : Thank you,
Deputy Speaker.
Is it not time the Minister for
Health accepted that poor health FTE outcomes in Western Australia, which has
the lowest number of nurses and midwives per 1 000 patients in the country, is
a direct result of the lack of incentives and support for our workforce?
Point of Order
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : The
question by the member was several paragraphs and now, as a supplementary
question, we are subjected to another paragraph. Supplementary questions are
short and sharp follow-ups to the major question that was asked, and I ask that
this question be ruled not in order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : There is
no point of order. However, once again, Leader of the Liberal Party, if you
could ask your question, that would be great; thank you.
Questions without Notice
Resumed
Ms L. METTAM : Okay. Is this
not a result of the government's failed wages policy and lack of incentives
for our health workforce —
Several members interjected.
Ms L. METTAM : There are so
many questions to ask.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Members!
Member for Swan Hills.
Several members interjected.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : All
right, I am going to try this again. Is everyone finished? Members! Leader of
the Liberal Party, go again.
Ms L. METTAM : Is this not a consequence
of the government's failed wages policy and lack of incentives for
health workers in this state?
73. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question. How
can the minister justify having the lowest number of nurses and midwives per
thousand —
Several members interjected.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Minister
and members! Sorry, Leader of the Liberal Party. Opposition members have an
opportunity to ask questions of ministers. Can that be done in silence, please?
Ms L. METTAM : Thank you,
Deputy Speaker.
Is it not time the Minister for
Health accepted that poor health FTE outcomes in Western Australia, which has
the lowest number of nurses and midwives per 1 000 patients in the country, is
a direct result of the lack of incentives and support for our workforce?
Point of Order
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : The
question by the member was several paragraphs and now, as a supplementary
question, we are subjected to another paragraph. Supplementary questions are
short and sharp follow-ups to the major question that was asked, and I ask that
this question be ruled not in order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : There is
no point of order. However, once again, Leader of the Liberal Party, if you
could ask your question, that would be great; thank you.
Questions without Notice
Resumed
Ms L. METTAM : Okay. Is this
not a result of the government's failed wages policy and lack of incentives
for our health workforce —
Several members interjected.
Ms L. METTAM : There are so
many questions to ask.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Members!
Member for Swan Hills.
Several members interjected.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : All
right, I am going to try this again. Is everyone finished? Members! Leader of
the Liberal Party, go again.
Ms L. METTAM : Is this not a consequence
of the government's failed wages policy and lack of incentives for
health workers in this state?
AnswerView source ↗
Fundamentally,
no, it is not, because nursing staff are flocking to Western Australia to work
in our system. Medical staff are coming to work in our system. We attracted 4 000
FTE. We have increased by 4 000 FTE since we have been in government. In eight and half years, your
government increased the number by fewer than 1 000—in eight and a half years. We have increased by 4 000 FTE; 1 600
medical staff and 1 700 allied health. People are coming to Western Australia
to work in this system, unlike the Liberal and National Parties, which
privatised large parts of our system. Does the Leader of the Liberal Party
think that privatising medical workers' jobs attracts them to the
health system? Does the Leader of the
Liberal Party think that privatising their jobs to Serco attracts them to the
health system ? That is the
opposition's policy and that is what you will do if you are ever, ever
in charge of the treasury bench.
no, it is not, because nursing staff are flocking to Western Australia to work
in our system. Medical staff are coming to work in our system. We attracted 4 000
FTE. We have increased by 4 000 FTE since we have been in government. In eight and half years, your
government increased the number by fewer than 1 000—in eight and a half years. We have increased by 4 000 FTE; 1 600
medical staff and 1 700 allied health. People are coming to Western Australia
to work in this system, unlike the Liberal and National Parties, which
privatised large parts of our system. Does the Leader of the Liberal Party
think that privatising medical workers' jobs attracts them to the
health system? Does the Leader of the
Liberal Party think that privatising their jobs to Serco attracts them to the
health system ? That is the
opposition's policy and that is what you will do if you are ever, ever
in charge of the treasury bench.
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