WA: Government hits back at opposition hospital funding claims

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-1999
WA: Government hits back at opposition hospital funding claims

PERTH, Dec 5 AAP - Health Minister John Day today denied the West Australian government
is shirking its funding responsibilities to state hospitals.

At a press conference at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, the minister said
the government was committed to providing funding for all essential core health services.

The minister was responding to opposition claims that Princess Margaret Hospital was
being forced to rely on public donations to upgrade its facilities.

The hospital called for public support for a dress-differently day designed to raise
funds to upgrade its computer monitoring equipment in the intensive care unit.

However, opposition spokeswoman Sheila McHale said funding for equipment in intensive
care units should be provided by the government, not left to the goodwill of the public.

Mr Day said the equipment was not essential but admitted it would be beneficial to patients.

"The machine the hospital wishes to purchase is used to monitor vital signs and functions
and streamline that whole process but that does not mean that there is sub-standard care
in intensive care at the moment," Mr Day said.

"From what I understand, it is a computer suite to cover the whole unit and allows
computerised monitoring of patients and their vital sign."

Mr Day said the public's help with fundraising campaigns meant the equipment could
be purchased sooner.

"Fundraising ensures top quality treatment is available at an earlier time but machines
such as the one for the intensive care unit would ultimately be funded (by the government)
anyway," he said.

AAP ajm/apm/de

KEYWORD: HOSPITAL WA

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