HEALTH
“As a Registered Nurse, I am particularly concerned at the long waiting lists for surgery, the lack of hospital beds, the shortage of public hospital nurses, the need for improved services for people with disabilities and those who suffer from mental illness, and the need for better facilities for carers.”
Janet’s Record
The new Fiona Stanley Hospital
– Janet secured a commitment from both parties in Parliament to ensure that the new hospital will be a 1,000 bed facility once Stage 1 and 2 are completed. The Liberal Party has clarified its position and given a firm commitment to 1,000 beds to meet the growing health needs of the community south of the river, as identified in the Health Reform Committee’s Reid Report in 2004.
No Smoking Near Playgrounds
– Janet has been working with the City of Melville since 2003 to have signs erected at public parks saying No Smoking Near Playgrounds. The signs, which were funded by a $5,000 grant from the Heart Foundation, are now at more than 25 local parks. Janet was also successful in having smoking bans implemented in Parliament House to bring it into line with smoking regulations regarding all Government buildings.
Companion Card Fees
– Janet’s ongoing hard stance against the unfair $30 fee for people with disabilities who require a full-time carer to obtain a Companion Card was successful in forcing the State Government to not only to rescind the unjust fee but to provide a full refund to those who had been forced to pay it since the card was introduced in 2005. WA was the only State that charged a fee for the card.
Private Members Bill Gains Support
– Janet’s Community Services Amendment (Body Piercing) Bill 2007 has been referred to a Parliamentary Committee following in principle support by the Minister for Child Protection and both political parties. If passed, the Bill will bring body piercing into line with current regulations regarding tattooing and branding.
Incontinence Pad Subsidy
– Janet pressured the State Government to match other states by implementing a subsidy to assist incontinence sufferers to obtain continence pads. Access to the $470 annual subsidy is now available through the Silver Chain referral number on 9242 0347. Incontinence products are a basic necessity for more than 10 per cent of the population and the subsidy will help them to manage this common condition and live with dignity.
Patron of Parkinson’s WA
– Janet has been the Patron of Parkinson’s WA for the last seven years. She works closely with the group to ensure its wonderful service where Parkinson’s Specialist Nurses visit people in their own homes to provide valuable advice and support about the disease and to help them stay out of hospital can continue and expand.Janet is a former President of the Australian Nursing Federation (WA Branch) and remains a current member.
Challenges
Fiona Stanley Hospital
– Janet is working hard to ensure that the State Government builds the hospital as soon as possible. The State Government originally promised that work would start in 2007 and that the hospital would open in 2010. In contrast to that promise, site works only started in July 2008 and the hospital is not expected to be open before 2013. Similarly, those delays have seen the cost of the hospital blow out to $1.8 billion.
No Smoking in public areas
– Janet has called for the City of Melville to review and update its Policy No 23-001 on Non Smoking for employees to extend it to cover all ratepayers by banning smoking along the riverfront and in outdoor areas, parks and public reserves to protect ratepayers and other visitors from the harmful effects of passive smoke.
Waitlists for surgery and a lack of local GPs
– Despite promising to clear the waiting lists for surgery, the State Government has failed to do so and long waiting lists remain a major problem within the community. Other concerns include the difficulties that people face when trying to see a local General Practitioner because many doctor’s surgeries are fully booked for days in advance.Janet’s Plan
Fiona Stanley Hospital
– Janet plans to hold the State Government to its promise so that there are no more cost and time blowouts as the new much-needed state-of-the-art tertiary hospital is built.
Cannabis Amendments
– Janet secured a commitment from the State Government in Parliament to amend the Cannabis Control Act when Parliament resumes after the winter recess. Janet opposed the legislation in 2004 because of the severe adverse mental and physical health problems children and adults experience from using cannabis. As well as reducing the amount of cannabis allowed to less than 15 grams, the planned amendment will make it compulsory for juveniles to attend cannabis education sessions.
Banning smoking in public parks and alfresco dining areas
– Janet will ensure that the City of Melville reviews its current Non Smoking policy for employees and extends it to all ratepayers to improve the safety and amenity of public facilities and to promote the health and well-being of the community.
Waiting Lists
– Janet will call on the Government to clear the long waiting lists for surgery and to ensure that adequate nursing staff levels and hospital bed numbers are maintained and expanded to meet the growing health needs of the community.