PAEDIATRIC
SERVICES — WAITLIST
211. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question. If
the Child and Adolescent Health Service has invested in additional paediatric
and allied health staff between February and November this year, why, in June,
is the waitlist still up to two years and will the minister commit to increase
funding in the next budget; and, if not, why not?
Mr R.H.
COOK replied:
I can give a solemn commitment that
there will be increased funding for the health system in the forthcoming
budget. As the member observes, we continue to recruit in these areas, which
are difficult areas to recruit in. Staff are
attracted to the private sector and to other opportunities, but we have some
great doctors and nurses and incredible paediatricians working in our
child and adolescent health services, making sure that they are amongst the
best in the world. There is only one group in the community that is criticising
their fantastic work and that is you, member for Vasse.
The SPEAKER: I thank Falcon
Primary School for joining us in the gallery.