Question On Notice No. 2490 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 September 2019 by Hon Martin Aldridge
Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
With
reference to Legislative Council question on notice 2242 and the tabled
briefing note regarding Geraldton Regional Hospital emergency department, and I
ask:
(a) has
a second triage nurse been funded to support the emergency department at the Geraldton
Regional Hospital;
(b) what
was the emergency departments budget for 2018/19;
(c) what
was their actual spend for 2018/19;
(d) what
is the emergency departments current budget for 2019/20;
(e) what
is the emergency departments expenditure to date in 2019/20;
(f) what
is the current escalation strategy for the emergency department and what has
the review referred to in the briefing note found; and
(g) on
how many occasions has ramping been initiated by emergency department staff
since 1 January 2019?
Answered on 23 October 2019
I am advised:
(a) Yes.
(b) $16,444,584
(c) $16,823,693
(d) $16,844,561
(e) $3,050,101 as at 31 August 2019.
(f) The current escalation strategy for the Geraldton Hospital Emergency Department (ED) is an application of a standardised tool for determining departmental status impacting on patient flow, known as the ‘Escalation Matrix’ with an internal action and communication task list to address barriers to flow.
The review of the ED process prompted wider review of escalation process for all areas of the hospital. Geraldton Hospital developed a Hospital Inpatient Flow Management plan, currently in draft for consultation.
(g) 44 occasions.