MATERNITY SERVICES —
CARNARVON
603. Hon
MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the state government's
decision to close maternity services in Carnarvon, forcing expectant families
to travel up to 1 000 kilometres to give birth in Geraldton or Perth.
(1) How many
families have been impacted since the cancellation of maternity services in
February?
(2)
Noting the commitment from WA Country Health Service to re-establish the
service as soon as possible, has a date been set to resume maternity services
in Carnarvon?
(3)
How many families have sought reimbursement for travel and accommodation
expenses incurred due to this closure?
(4)
What is the total the state government has spent on travel and accommodation
reimbursements to date?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Seventy-one
women have been supported to birth in Perth or Geraldton based on clinical need
and preference. Comprehensive antenatal and
postnatal services continue to be provided to families in Carnarvon.
(2) A date for
resumption of maternity services is still to be determined based on workforce
sustainability to provide a continuous birthing service.
(3) All 71 women
have been offered reimbursement and, of these, 22 have accepted.
(4) Approximately
$50 000 has been paid, noting that further reimbursements are currently being
processed.