Question On Notice No. 1601 asked in the Legislative Council on 28 August 2018 by Hon Robin Chapple
Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
(1) Do regional and country ambulance sub-centres use disposable linen?
(2) If yes to (1):
(a) when did this change and what is the reason for the change;
(b) what are the various forms of disposable linen made from; and
(c) who pays for the cost of the disposable linen?
Answered on 10 October 2018
I am advised that:
(1) All country ambulance sub-centres in the Wheatbelt and South West regions use disposable linen along with some country ambulance sub-centres in the Mid-West and North-West regions.
(2) (a) The use of disposable linen commenced under the previous Government in 2015 in the Wheatbelt and subsequently across the regions listed in question 1. The use of disposable linen in Emergency Departments and similar environments is considered best practice from an infection control perspective and in line with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (Standard 3).
(b) The disposable linen used by St John’s Ambulance (SJA) is nonwoven polypropylene.
(c) SJA is the Government’s contracted provider of these services and purchases the disposable linen.