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.