Page 3841 - Week 14 - Thursday, 10 December 1992

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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

MINISTER FOR HEALTH

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION 350

Woden Valley Hospital - On-site Sterilisation Facility

Mrs Carnell - asked the Minister for Health:

(1) What is the transport bill per month for the pick up end delivery of sterile trays and equipment from Totalcare to Woden Valley Hospital.

(2) Could the cost of on-site sterilisation be as little as half the cost of using Totalcare.

(3) Does the use of an off site sterilisation unit have implications in the area of new

equipment purchase, ie that the hospital has to buy multiples of each instrument to

allow for the equipment being at Totalcare or in transit.

(4) Does the lack of an in-house sterilisation facility cause problems due to the lack of immediate availability, especially out-of-hours of various implants etc for surgical procedures.

(5) Does the Hospital Redevelopment Scheme include plans for an on-site sterilisation

facility at Woden Valley Hospital; if not, why not.

Mr Berry - the answer to Mrs Carnells - question is as follows:

Successive ACT Governments over the last two years have agreed at different times to the establishment of Totalcare Industries as a Territory Owned Corporation (TOC).

(1) A detailed breakdown of transport costs is not available as the pricing structure for

sterile supplies is an all up charge for production and transport

(2) No studies for on-site sterilisation for the ACT Public Hospital system have been

undertaken to determine the cost benefit of sterilisation services through on-site

facilities as opposed to the current arrangements through Totalcare Industries. It

should be noted that Totalcare Industries currently provide services for the whole

of the ACT Public Hospital system, not just Woden Valley Hospital.

3841

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