❓ WA Parliamentary Question regarding access to dialysis services and accommodation for Aboriginal patients from regional WA travelling to Perth. The response details patient numbers, accommodation options, reasons for travel, government support, and the impact of Genesis Lodge closure.
AnsweredQoN 4922Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Aboriginal dialysis patients coming to Perth from the Goldfields, Pilbara and Kimberley regions, and ask: (a) How many Aboriginal patients have traveled to Perth for dialysis services annually from these three regions over the last 5 years; (b) How many of these require accommodation other than with family and friends; (c) What accommodation options are available for aboriginal dialysis patients from these regions in Perth; (d) Why do these patients typically need to travel to Perth for dialysis services, rather than seek these services in the regions; (e) Does the WA Government support any accommodation options for those dialysis patients that are required to visit Perth for dialysis services; and (f) Has the closure of Genesis Lodge (Salter Point) had an impact on the availability of accommodation options for aboriginal people seeking dialysis services in Perth?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 May 2019
Response time
9 days
I am advised:
(a) The total number of Aboriginal patients from the Goldfields, Pilbara and Kimberley regions who have travelled to Perth for renal and dialysis services from 2013-2018 is 585.
(b) The total number of Aboriginal patients who required commercial accommodation assistance when they travelled to Perth for renal and dialysis services from 2013-2018 is 433.
(c) Culturally appropriate commercial accommodation in Perth for Aboriginal patients is available in the Elizabeth Hansen Autumn Centre (EHAC), The Allawah Grove and Derbarl Bidjar Lodge (funded through Aboriginal Hostels Limited). Additional accommodation is also available at Crawford Lodge, Milroy Lodge, and Kangaroo Inn.
(d) The treatment of patients requiring renal and dialysis services is complex. In most occasions, patients need to travel to Perth for access to specialist services because of clinical deterioration, or urgent vascular access review, or poor health related to multiple comorbidities.
In addition, patients who are suitable for home therapy dialysis generally attend Perth with their carer for an extended period of time to access comprehensive training to enable them to manage when they return to country.
The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is expanding the capacity of renal services and supportive accommodation across country WA, which supports our vision of providing safe quality care closer to home.
A number of WACHS regions have recently introduced new renal support teams who will provide community education, assessments, early interventions and pre-dialysis support, care of transplantation patients and training for home dialysis for people in community.
(e) WACHS provides Patient Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS) subsidies to accommodation providers in Perth for eligible country residents who require medical treatment and need to stay in Perth.
The exception is the EHAC, where WACHS has provided, in addition to PATS, Grant Funding to the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia to assist EHAC with operational costs for the activity period 30 August 2018 to 30 June 2019 (total funding amount $329,574).
(f) The closure of Genesis lodge on 17 November 2017 created a loss of 15 accommodation beds for Aboriginal people.
WACHS worked closely with all the affected patients and carers and ensured alternative accommodation was provided, with no disruption to ongoing medical treatment.
WACHS has good working relationships with metropolitan Aboriginal hostel providers to ensure that beds are available for Aboriginal country patients. These include short and long term solutions.
(a) The total number of Aboriginal patients from the Goldfields, Pilbara and Kimberley regions who have travelled to Perth for renal and dialysis services from 2013-2018 is 585.
(b) The total number of Aboriginal patients who required commercial accommodation assistance when they travelled to Perth for renal and dialysis services from 2013-2018 is 433.
(c) Culturally appropriate commercial accommodation in Perth for Aboriginal patients is available in the Elizabeth Hansen Autumn Centre (EHAC), The Allawah Grove and Derbarl Bidjar Lodge (funded through Aboriginal Hostels Limited). Additional accommodation is also available at Crawford Lodge, Milroy Lodge, and Kangaroo Inn.
(d) The treatment of patients requiring renal and dialysis services is complex. In most occasions, patients need to travel to Perth for access to specialist services because of clinical deterioration, or urgent vascular access review, or poor health related to multiple comorbidities.
In addition, patients who are suitable for home therapy dialysis generally attend Perth with their carer for an extended period of time to access comprehensive training to enable them to manage when they return to country.
The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is expanding the capacity of renal services and supportive accommodation across country WA, which supports our vision of providing safe quality care closer to home.
A number of WACHS regions have recently introduced new renal support teams who will provide community education, assessments, early interventions and pre-dialysis support, care of transplantation patients and training for home dialysis for people in community.
(e) WACHS provides Patient Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS) subsidies to accommodation providers in Perth for eligible country residents who require medical treatment and need to stay in Perth.
The exception is the EHAC, where WACHS has provided, in addition to PATS, Grant Funding to the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia to assist EHAC with operational costs for the activity period 30 August 2018 to 30 June 2019 (total funding amount $329,574).
(f) The closure of Genesis lodge on 17 November 2017 created a loss of 15 accommodation beds for Aboriginal people.
WACHS worked closely with all the affected patients and carers and ensured alternative accommodation was provided, with no disruption to ongoing medical treatment.
WACHS has good working relationships with metropolitan Aboriginal hostel providers to ensure that beds are available for Aboriginal country patients. These include short and long term solutions.
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