❓ Hon. Tjorn Sibma questions the Minister for Health regarding the implementation of updated water and air testing regulations at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, particularly concerning Legionella risks in cooling water systems. The Minister responds that the regulations are being progressed and the cooling towers are compliant with standards.
AnsweredQoN 509Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital—Testing regulations
509. Hon Tjorn Sibma to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Health:
I note amendments
recommended in the 2019 Department of Health review of regulations concerning
water and air testing in WA hospitals and the April 2023 Auditor General's report
that recommended progressing these amendments.
(1) Has the minister requested—or did her
predecessor request—that her department finalise and implement the
updated regulations and, if not, why not?
(2) Is the minister aware that the cooling water
systems at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital do not comply with Australian Standard
AS 3666, thereby placing patients' health at risk due to repeated high Legionella detections?
(3) How much has the Department of Health invested
into improving air and water quality at the hospital since 2022?
509. Hon Tjorn Sibma to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Health:
I note amendments
recommended in the 2019 Department of Health review of regulations concerning
water and air testing in WA hospitals and the April 2023 Auditor General's report
that recommended progressing these amendments.
(1) Has the minister requested—or did her
predecessor request—that her department finalise and implement the
updated regulations and, if not, why not?
(2) Is the minister aware that the cooling water
systems at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital do not comply with Australian Standard
AS 3666, thereby placing patients' health at risk due to repeated high Legionella detections?
(3) How much has the Department of Health invested
into improving air and water quality at the hospital since 2022?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
The following answer
has been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1) The Department of Health continues to progress
these regulations.
(2)–(3) Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre cooling
towers are located in HH block—central energy plant—and these
towers are compliant to AS 3666, with routine maintenance and monthly testing
for heterotrophic plate count and Legionella .
No Legionella has been detected in the
cooling tower verifications.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
The following answer
has been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1) The Department of Health continues to progress
these regulations.
(2)–(3) Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre cooling
towers are located in HH block—central energy plant—and these
towers are compliant to AS 3666, with routine maintenance and monthly testing
for heterotrophic plate count and Legionella .
No Legionella has been detected in the
cooling tower verifications.
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