CORONAVIRUS — ALBANY HEALTH CAMPUS
905. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Minister for Health:
I refer to the Albany Health Campus.
(1) Can the
minister advise what contingency plans are in place at Albany Health Campus in
the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in the great southern region?
(2) Has any
modelling been performed as to what resources would be required at Albany
Health Campus in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in the great southern region?
(3) If yes to (2), will the minister
table the modelling; and, if no to (2), why not?
(4) What other
hospitals in the great southern region will be resourced to treat COVID-19
patients should the need arise?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on behalf of the
Minister for Health.
(1)–(4) All WA Country Health Service hospitals'
COVID-19 plans are reviewed to reflect changing circumstances, and
assurance exercises against these plans are ongoing. Training and assurance
exercises are routinely undertaken to test
and refine preparedness. Personal protective equipment, training and fit
testing is ongoing to ensure staff
are confident in using the equipment safely and effectively and have the
correct PPE available. Albany Health Campus has undertaken a ventilation
review and is working hard to optimise ventilation and air circulation, including the maintenance of negative pressure
isolation rooms. The WA safe transition plan: Modelling report by WA Department of Health has been released. WACHS will use this modelling
to further inform planning and
preparedness for local COVID-19 outbreaks. All hospitals in the great southern
region have the ability and resources to treat lower acuity COVID-19 patients.
Patients who require ICU level care will be transported to a metropolitan
health service, as currently happens with ICU patients.