❓ WA parliamentary question addresses service reductions at Wyndham Hospital and Carnarvon maternity services, seeking details on timelines, actions, and impacts. The response outlines measures to address workforce shortages and support affected families, acknowledging temporary service changes.
AnsweredQoN 1658Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to WA Country Health Service (WACHS) cancelling or reducing services in regional Western Australia and question on notice 1043 answered on 22 November 2022, and I ask: (a) in regards to the reduction in operating at Wyndham Hospital since October 2021: (i) is this reduction temporary or permanent; (ii) what is the timeframe to restore services to normal operations; and (iii) please detail the specific actions the State Government is undertaking to address this service reduction; (b) in regards to the closure of maternity services in Carnarvon since February 2022: (i) is this closure temporary or permanent; (ii) what is the timeframe to restore services to normal operations; (iii) please detail the specific actions the State Government is undertaking to address this service closure; (iv) how many families have been impacted since the closure of maternity services; (v) how many families have sought reimbursement for travel and accommodation incurred due to this closure; (vi) what is the total the state government has spent on travel and accommodation reimbursements to date; and (vii) please identify which hospitals women were diverted to as a result of maternity services not being provided locally in Carnarvon; (c) please identify any additional WACHS facilities where services have been reduced or cancelled since November 2022; and (d) for any facilities identified in (c), please provide: (i) the reason for the service reduction or cancellation; (ii) the length of time the service was reduced; and (iii) whether services have returned to normal operation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 November 2023
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health
Response time
10 days
(a)
(i-ii) The Wyndham hospital service remains operational 24/7. The nursing workforce changes made are temporary based on nurse supply and availability.
(iii) A range of measures are in place to attract and retain the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) nursing workforce, to maintain service continuity across all WACHS sites. As of currently this includes delivery of 24/7 emergency and acute telehealth services, country nursing and midwifery incentive payments for employed staff, Rapid Deployment payments for sites requiring short term nurse deployment to sustain services, extensive advertising and social media promotion and accommodation support.
Long term measures include development of Fly-in-Fly-Out and Drive-in-Drive-Out arrangements for employed staff on a regular basis, scholarships for post-graduate studies, significantly increased newly qualified nurse and midwife recruitment, commencement of the paid student midwifery model, transition to specialty programs of newly qualified nurses and midwives, partnership midwifery and staffing arrangements with metropolitan health services and newly developed recruitment pools for employment of Endorsed Midwives.
(b)
(i) The birthing service change is temporary, and services will be re-established, when a consistent and sustainable workforce is available.
(ii) Ongoing work is being undertaken to attract and retain a consistent sustainable workforce so that birthing can be resumed.
(iii) Current and long-term measures include a comprehensive antenatal and postnatal service provided to families in Carnarvon, women requiring transfer to Perth or Geraldton are fully supported to relocate for the birth, reimbursement of all maternity expenses is facilitated through local processes, Aboriginal Liaison Officers ensure the connection with the country is maintained while they are relocated for birthing purposes.
(iv) 163 families.
(v) 163 individuals have received travel and accommodation support through PATS subsidy and reimbursement of expenses from operational funds since February 2022.
(vi) The state government has spent a total of $635,625.03 on travel and accommodation reimbursements to date.
(vii) Families have been supported to attend Geraldton Regional Hospital, King Edward Memorial Hospital, St John of God Subiaco, Joondalup Health Campus, Peel Health Campus, Busselton Health Campus, Bunbury Regional Hospital, and Karratha Health Campus. Some of whom would have been diverted due to acuity of birthing service need and some who chose to birth elsewhere.
(c) As with all health services, temporary local changes occur either for a matter of hours or a day and are supported by virtual services and nearby hospitals.
(d)
(i) Short term service changes occur due to temporary workforce availability changes e.g., short notice sick leave.
(ii) Variable and short term
(iii) All services with the exception of Carnarvon birthing are operational.
(i-ii) The Wyndham hospital service remains operational 24/7. The nursing workforce changes made are temporary based on nurse supply and availability.
(iii) A range of measures are in place to attract and retain the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) nursing workforce, to maintain service continuity across all WACHS sites. As of currently this includes delivery of 24/7 emergency and acute telehealth services, country nursing and midwifery incentive payments for employed staff, Rapid Deployment payments for sites requiring short term nurse deployment to sustain services, extensive advertising and social media promotion and accommodation support.
Long term measures include development of Fly-in-Fly-Out and Drive-in-Drive-Out arrangements for employed staff on a regular basis, scholarships for post-graduate studies, significantly increased newly qualified nurse and midwife recruitment, commencement of the paid student midwifery model, transition to specialty programs of newly qualified nurses and midwives, partnership midwifery and staffing arrangements with metropolitan health services and newly developed recruitment pools for employment of Endorsed Midwives.
(b)
(i) The birthing service change is temporary, and services will be re-established, when a consistent and sustainable workforce is available.
(ii) Ongoing work is being undertaken to attract and retain a consistent sustainable workforce so that birthing can be resumed.
(iii) Current and long-term measures include a comprehensive antenatal and postnatal service provided to families in Carnarvon, women requiring transfer to Perth or Geraldton are fully supported to relocate for the birth, reimbursement of all maternity expenses is facilitated through local processes, Aboriginal Liaison Officers ensure the connection with the country is maintained while they are relocated for birthing purposes.
(iv) 163 families.
(v) 163 individuals have received travel and accommodation support through PATS subsidy and reimbursement of expenses from operational funds since February 2022.
(vi) The state government has spent a total of $635,625.03 on travel and accommodation reimbursements to date.
(vii) Families have been supported to attend Geraldton Regional Hospital, King Edward Memorial Hospital, St John of God Subiaco, Joondalup Health Campus, Peel Health Campus, Busselton Health Campus, Bunbury Regional Hospital, and Karratha Health Campus. Some of whom would have been diverted due to acuity of birthing service need and some who chose to birth elsewhere.
(c) As with all health services, temporary local changes occur either for a matter of hours or a day and are supported by virtual services and nearby hospitals.
(d)
(i) Short term service changes occur due to temporary workforce availability changes e.g., short notice sick leave.
(ii) Variable and short term
(iii) All services with the exception of Carnarvon birthing are operational.
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