Page 295 - Week 01 - Thursday, 29 November 2012
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MS GALLAGHER: Seriously, Madam Speaker, for a definition of “temporary”, I would direct the member to a dictionary. It may be that he does not have his computer with him. It is quite easy to look up. In relation to the Hansard, before I comment on it I would want to check the Hansard. I have not read it since around 22 or 23 June. The point I was probably trying to make was that they are not temporary services in the sense that they will not continue; they will continue in a different location once the full hospital is open.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, are there any other words of which the Health Directorate should be informed that you have a different definition to them?
MS GALLAGHER: I am not sure I can add anything to the question. I think Mr Coe is trying to be funny.
MR HANSON: Supplementary—
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, how would you define the shortened period of time new mothers now get to spend in birthing suites in the women’s and children’s hospital.
MS GALLAGHER: As Mr Hanson knows, the model of care was determined and consulted over in the lead-up to the opening of stage 1 of the new women’s and children’s hospital. As part of it, for healthy women with healthy babies and who have had a straightforward birth where there have been no complications, the model of care sets a minimum of six hours as the minimum time someone should stay in hospital, with a view to having people out of hospital within 24 hours.
There are many women who actually like that model of care. I have had two complaints that I am aware of where women have said they felt rushed to leave the hospital. We are currently examining whether that model of care is going to meet everybody’s needs.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Is your avoidance of the word “temporary” just your attempt to hide the fact that facilities were just not finished on time?
MS GALLAGHER: Stage 1 was completed, I think, in early August. It was always the case that stage 2 would open about 12 months after stage 1.
Mr Hanson: No, it wasn’t.
MS GALLAGHER: It was, Mr Hanson.
Mr Hanson: No, it wasn’t.
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