Page 1428 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 6 April 2005
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DR FOSKEY: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Could the minister advise me of the extensive arts facilities in Woden town centre?
MR CORBELL: I did not say there are extensive arts facilities in Woden town centre, I said there is extensive public infrastructure in the town centre that meets a variety of needs, including the Woden Community Service building, childcare facilities, the Woden library and the Woden public health clinic.
There is a range of facilities in Woden, a number of which provide public meeting spaces and display areas that meet the demands of the residents of that town centre. So the government does not believe that there is any justification, at this time, for an expansion of those types of facilities. Our focus in on refreshing and renewing the existing infrastructure, much of which is becoming old and rundown, particularly around public transport facilities and in the public spaces of the town centre itself.
Calvary Hospital—elective surgery
MRS DUNNE: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Health. Elective surgery waiting lists at Calvary Hospital, in my electorate, reveal that, of the 2,066 patients waiting for elective surgery, 829, or 40 per cent, are overdue for surgery. In category 2, 67 per cent of patients at Calvary Hospital are overdue for elective surgery.
Minister, why are 40 per cent of patients on the elective surgery waiting lists at Calvary Hospital overdue for surgery?
MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, it is simply a case, as I have indicated before, of the government needing to work hard to try to meet demand. And the government is doing that. The government has increased funding. I do not know how many times I can say it, but I am going to continue to say it. The government has increased funding substantially to improve access to elective surgery. And that is seeing more people getting access to elective surgery. There is no doubt about that. More people are getting access to elective surgery.
At the same time, more people are being added to the list. That is a matter of serious concern for the government. As I indicated in my earlier answer to, I think, Mr Mulcahy, the need is to continue to focus on all areas of the delivery of elective surgery procedures, including resources, to ensure that we get as many people through the elective surgery list as quickly and as reasonably as possible. And that will remain the government’s objective.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, how many patients will be overdue for elective surgery at Calvary after the month-long lull in surgery that is currently under way at Calvary?
MR CORBELL: I cannot answer that question in advance of the data being reported.
National Folk Festival—waste management
MS PORTER: Can the Minister for Urban Services please advise the Assembly of the
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