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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 659 asked in the Legislative Council on 8 September 2021 by Hon James Hayward

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

ALBANY HEALTH CAMPUS — BED CAPACITY

659. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the Minister for Health:

I refer to Albany Health Campus.

(1) On how many days in the past month were patients treated in corridors due to a lack of beds?

(2) On how many days in the past month have clinical nurse staff been seconded to the emergency department for registered nurse duties?

(3) Does the management of Albany Health Campus consider treating patients in corridors to be safe for staff and patients?

(4) Is the minister confident that staff at Albany Health Campus are provided with a safe working environment?

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on behalf of the Minister for Health.

(1) Patients who attend the Albany Health Campus emergency department are assessed and treated, after which they are ether discharged, transferred or admitted to the Albany hospital inpatient ward. Patients may wait in the emergency department until a bed is available on the wards and are monitored and cared for by medical and nursing staff.

(2) No nurses have been seconded to the emergency department. When the Albany Health Campus emergency department or any part of the hospital is busy with unwell patients, there are hospital-rostered supernumerary nurses who will go to the emergency department from within the hospital to assist as required. Staff from other areas are deployed regularly to areas to address clinical need.

(3) Albany Health Campus management follows occupational health and safety guidelines to ensure the environment is safe for patients and staff.

(4) The WA Country Health Service has a safety management system in place to ensure a safe working environment for staff, which includes identification, reporting and management of safety risks and hazards in the workplace.

The PRESIDENT: I call Hon Neil Simpson.