Page 1269 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 16 April 1991
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MR HUMPHRIES: He has already. You have not been paying attention.
Mr Speaker, there were 2,500 admissions in July last year, declining to about 2,200 in January this year. That, of course, is the low period for the hospital system. We have, in fact, had a very marked pick-up since that time. There were nearly 3,200 in February this year; and 3,300, going on for 3,400, in March of this year. That indicates, much more effectively than bed numbers, how many people are actually being treated in our hospital system. That is a far more effective way, in this context, of looking at the effectiveness of our hospital system.
Those opposite might not like that fact. They might not like to hear facts which go against their version of events, which is that our hospital system is crumbling into ruins. The fact is that it is not crumbling into ruins. We are getting a system which is effectively increasing its throughput. I think Mr Berry should be very careful to assimilate those facts before he next goes out and makes another false accusation about the lack of effectiveness in our public hospital system.
MS FOLLETT: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. May I ask whether Mr Humphries has taken the question on notice or not?
MR HUMPHRIES: You have asserted that I have. Mr Speaker, Ms Follett has already told you - and through Mr Berry - that I have taken it on notice, so I assume that she does not wish to retraverse the issue. I think Ms Follett is a bit confused today. It is obviously a big day, with all the cameras and everything in here. But, to make it perfectly clear to Ms Follett, I will certainly take her question on notice and get back to her.
Hospitals - Waiting Lists
MRS NOLAN: Mr Speaker, my question is also to Mr Humphries in his capacity as Minister for Health. I would like to ask the Minister whether, in fact, he is aware of the opposition health spokesman making an allegation this morning on ABC radio that he was not supplied with the November-December 1990 hospital booking list figures, after requesting those details in February this year.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I thank Mrs Nolan for that question. It would seem that some local Labor politicians, like their Federal colleagues, have some trouble in remembering what was said when. On ABC radio this morning Mr Berry was quoted as saying that he was still waiting for a reply to his request in February for the November and December waiting list figures for surgery.
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