PARABURDOO HOSPITAL
760. Ms M. BEARD to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the lack of investment in
existing hospital and health service infrastructure in parts of northern WA.
(1) Is the
minister aware that Paraburdoo Hospital is in a state of disrepair and in need
of urgent upgrades, with reports of scaffolding used in places to hold up
sections of the ceiling?
(2) If yes, when
was the minister made aware, and what plans are underway to ensure that this
health facility is repaired and upgraded?
Ms A.
SANDERSON replied:
(1)–(2) I
am aware that there are some challenges around Paraburdoo, and there is work
immediately underway to put in place those repairs. It is absolutely untrue
that there is a lack of investment in the north of the state. That is a falsehood.
It is a complete falsehood. There are around 800 sites around the state, by the
way. That is completely wrong. We have a significant
program of works going on in the northern part of the state. I just
visited Newman Hospital to see the first stage of the works, and the second
stage of that is underway. There are
significant works at Tom Price Hospital. There will be even further works at
Newman when we also open dialysis chairs for on-country dialysis,
supported by the local Aboriginal community.
From
time to time, some of the ageing assets are challenged and need work. That is
absolutely what happens. The WA Country Health Service is working with
the regional director up there to ensure that those works occur. But the member does these towns no justice
by running them down. Members of the Nationals WA say that they are the
party for regional WA, but they are so negative about the towns. The former
member for North West Central had nothing good to say about the north west
central area or about Carnarvon. He did not
say a single positive thing about Carnarvon. Actually, we travel around those
regional communities. There is huge opportunity. We have world-class
health infrastructure and we are committed to delivering that. We have a $3.2 billion
asset investment plan across the country—more than members opposite
ever implemented.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order, please!