Question Without Notice No. 48 asked in the Legislative Council on 17 May 2017 by Hon Dave Grills
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
SOUTHERN INLAND HEALTH INITIATIVE
48. Hon DAVE GRILLS to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the state government Southern Inland Health Initiative and in particular the stream 1 district medical workforce investment program.
(1) Is the minister aware that funding to the SIHI ceases on 30 June?
(2) When was the minister made aware and by whom?
(3) How does the minister plan to maintain service delivery to key regional health programs once funding ceases?
(4) Will the minister provide a guarantee that services will not be reduced particularly in the area of general practitioner incentives and the emergency telehealth service from 1 July 2017?
Hon ALANNA CLOHESY replied:
I thank the member for some notice of the question. I am informed —
(1) Yes.
(2) The Minister for Health was made aware through incoming government briefs and a recent formal briefing provided by the Department of Health and WA Country Health Service.
(3)–(4) The Minister for Health is currently reviewing a proposal by WACHS and will discuss this with the Minister for Regional Development. The proposal includes the extension of funding to cover essential emergency and health services while royalties for regions funding priorities are reviewed by government. The new government is currently reviewing all royalties for regions funding.