Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1129 asked in the Legislative Council on 8 December 2021 by Hon Steve Martin

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

SIR CHARLES GAIRDNER HOSPITAL — WATER CONTAMINATION

1129. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the minister representing the Minister for Health:

I refer to my previous question without notice 1042 asked on 30 November, which refers to water contamination at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

(1) Which wards have been impacted by the bacterial contamination?

(2) Have all patients who have been on those wards since the contamination was detected been tested for Legionella bacteria?

(3) Have autopsies been carried out on other patients who passed away during the contamination period and who stayed in these wards to verify whether they also contracted Legionella pneumophila; and —

(a) if not, why not; and

(b) if yes, what was the outcome of those autopsies?

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister for Health.

(1) Wards G73 and G63 have been impacted.

(2) No.

(3) (a) In accordance with the North Metropolitan Health Service's Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group policy, all reportable deaths are reported to the coroner's office. The decision to undertake an autopsy is made by the coroner and the NMHS does not have access to the post-mortem reports.

(b) Not applicable.

All health service providers are expected to have a robust and current water management plan in place as part of their infection control program. As Legionella bacterium is commonly found in the environment, Australian Standards require routine water testing and management, including decontamination procedures, to be regularly undertaken in all buildings. The director general of Health has sought assurance from all HSPs that they have the appropriate water management plans in place, as per the relevant Australian Standard.